Olivia Lubig is seen protesting the Carden Circus at Lakeview Arena in 2019. Lubig spearheaded the lobbying effort which led to the Marquette City Commission banning traveling exotic animal acts in the city. (Photo courtesy of Olivia Lubig)

MARQUETTE — The organization Humane World for Animals, previously the Humane Society of the United States, is celebrating the milestone of 200 local laws nationwide restricting traveling wild animal acts, such as circuses. The City of Marquette passed that 200th law in January, titled Ordinance #26-1: An Ordinance to Amend City Code Chapter 8.

Marquette has historically been visited by Carden Circus, a traveling circus which utilizes several different wild animal acts, including elephants, camels and bison. Over the years, local activists have staged protests outside of the Carden Circus in Marquette. One of those activists, lifelong Harvey resident Olivia Lubig, spearheaded the lobbying campaign which led to the passing of Ordinance #26-1.

“These animals; tigers and elephants, they roam for miles in the wild, but then (Carden) puts them in a tiny cage and ships them around the country,” said Lubig. “It causes severe mental distress for them … we can have a very entertaining show with just human performers.”

A lifelong animal lover, Lubig first got involved with protesting Carden in 2019, around the same time she began working with Humane World for Animals. However, after a few years of no change, Lubig became frustrated.

“In response to our protests, Carden Circus was like, ‘we have the highest animal welfare standards,'” said Lubig. “But then, Carden Circus has so many USDA violations against them …

I just thought — there’s got to be something more I can do about this. Because obviously protesting is not getting the attention that is needed on this issue.”

Laura Hagen, managing director of wildlife at Humane World for Animals, cited several examples of how wild animal acts can be dangerous for both animals and humans alike. For example, in 2025 Carden Circus received a citation from the USDA for failing to provide adequate care to an injured, elderly elephant. Hagen also referenced Carden’s previous contract with the late Ryan Easley, a roadside zoo owner from Oklahoma who was killed by one of his tigers in 2025, as well as an instance in Wisconsin when an elephant got loose from a circus.

“A child was injured in that (elephant) escape, and the elephant went running by members of the public,” said Hagen. “So (wild animal acts) are not only dangerous for the handlers, but they’re also dangerous for the animals and for the members of the public, as well.”

The Humane World for Animals leads and supports lobbying efforts to pass laws banning traveling wild animal acts, and supplied Lubig with support and materials during her lobbying of the Marquette City Commission.

“(Marquette) is the capital of the U.P.,” said Mitchell Nelson, Michigan director for Humane World for Animals. “So when we were first talking about Olivia (Lubig) with this, it was sort of like, look, this could have real ripple effects. The way she has approached this has been with strong consideration for and really rooted in the values of her community.”

Lubig first brought the issue of a ban on traveling wild animal acts to the Marquette City Commission in January 2024, two years before the ban was put into place. The effort took time, and repeated attempts.

“I think a turning point for me was when I met with one commissioner, and was like, ‘okay, I have all the facts memorized,'” said Lubig. “But then I got a lukewarm response, where they asked ‘why does this matter? Why do you care about this?'”

Lubig had to switch tactics.

“In February 2025, I published a letter to the editor in The Mining Journal and basically just made the point: I grew up here,” said Lubig. “My values as a Yooper represent care for the natural world and animals … I think there’s a disconnect in values between the values I was raised with as a Yooper, and allowing entities to bring exotic animals to perform here, because of the ethical issues. I think that was the thing that really got the ball rolling and got people to pay attention.”

Lubig went on to speak at a Marquette City Commission meeting in July 2025. Later, she was able to speak with Commissioners Jeremy Ottaway and Jessica Hanley.

“I got an inkling that it was going to go through in December-ish, and then when it finally happened in January, I think I was just ecstatic,” said Lubig. “I was so happy and so proud of my community for taking action on an issue that really mattered. I was just really thankful for the Marquette City Commission for taking action.”

The ordinance, titled “Ordinance #26-1 An Ordinance to Amend City Code Chapter 8,” was adopted on January 26 and published on Feb. 4. It’s stated intent was “to repeal and readopt chapter 8 of this code to clarify definitions, reflect the current processes regarding off-leash area passes and dog licenses and add regulations on the transportation of exotic animals.”

Section 8-16 reads that “it shall be unlawful to transport exotic animals for the purpose of entertainment or the benefit of a live audience except as part of an accredited zoological institution as defined in MCL 123.1163.”

Exotic animals are defined in the ordinance as “any animal that would require a standard of care and control greater than that required for domestic animals commonly sold by commercial pet shops.”

Lubig’s successful lobbying work is a testament to what is possible through determination.

“I want to emphasize that I did not know if this was going to work,” she said. “Honest to God, I had no idea. I just kept trying different things and trying different arguments, and I think one thing that really helped is that I listened to what people’s concerns were.”

“This is a really perfect example of how folks can identify problems in their own backyard and really take action to make change,” said Nelson.

“Thank you to Humane World for Animals, and thank you to the Marquette Commission for taking action,” said Lubig.

The Mining Journal reached out to Carden Circus for comment, but did not receive a response.

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.