New Delhi, April 8 (IANS): A circus registered in Assam has been derecognised by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) after investigation by a group of animal rights organisations revealed exploitation and torture of its animals, PETA said on Wednesday.

Moonlight circus, which is registered in Lakhimpur in Assam, was derecognised by the CZA on October 14, 2014, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said.

PETA said it started rescuing animals from the circus from February 2015 after the order and permission from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and state wildlife departments were given.

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) had authorised PETA to conduct 16 inspections from November 2012 to July 2013.

The investigation found that the animals were subjected to torture, while some died due to inadequate care, constant chaining and caging and handling by drunk circus employees.

Moonlight circus was then performing in Nanded in Maharastra.

The Nanded district chief judicial magistrate's court dismissed the circus' plea to retain the custody of its animals.

PETA said the animals exhibited extreme psychological distress.

The rescue was a coordinated effort involving many animal rights organisations including PETA, Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO), People for Animals (PFA) from Hyderabad, Pune, Uttarakhand and Wardha, Resquink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW), Thane Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Wildlife SOS.

Four rescued elephants were shifted to Wildlife SOS Elephant Care Centre for rehabilitation and a camel, birds, horses and dogs were housed at PFA Wardha.