In fantastic news to start the new decade, a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses finally came into force in England on Monday 20th January 2020.
After a decade of promises from successive UK governments, the legislation for the ban was finally passed last year and England now join Scotland and Ireland in ending the use of live animals in circuses. Former Environment Minister Michael Gove declared “travelling circuses are no place for wild animals” as he announced the Wild Animals in Circuses Bill in May 2019.
The long-awaited ban is welcomed by all at Saving the Survivors who have always supported the campaigns to end the suffering of wild animals in circuses.
Dr Johan Marais, Saving the Survivors veterinarian, said; “Captive facilities, like circuses, have been instrumental in the survival of some endangered species, like the Scimitar-horned Oryx. These facilities may also inspire the next generation of conservationists or act as an education tool to the general public. However, the reality is that both of these points only happen in a very small proportion of these facilities, like circuses. There is currently little or no educational, conservational, research or economic benefit from having wild animals in travelling circuses, that justify their use and the loss of their ability to behave and breed naturally in the wild. “
There are currently two companies in the country with animals in their shows and between them, use 19 animals including zebras, camels and reindeer. Under new legislation, they will no longer be able to continue to operate the same way across England. The Wild Animals in Circuses Act doesn’t stop companies using domesticated animals such as dogs performing or travelling with them.
Scotland was the first nation in the UK to pass such a law with The Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Act 2018 being unanimously passed by MPs and after public consultation revealed that 98% of respondents back a ban. The Irish government has also banned the use of wild animals in circuses; in January 2018 the regulation came into effect across Ireland.
In Wales, a new law to follow suit has won cross-party support in the assembly with legislation passing it’s first hurdle at the beginning of the month and the law expected to be passed later this year.
Paul Naden, Saving the Survivors director, has urged the Welsh government to ensure the ban becomes official; “A consistent approach across the UK in regard to travelling circuses is needed and it will be wonderful for Wales to also enforce a ban this year too. Most of us, in one way or another, use animals for our benefit; from wearing a leather belt to our choice of food. However, there is no compelling human interest or argument for wildlife to be forced to perform in a circus – just our insatiable desire to be entertained. We should be presenting the natural world to our children, not subjecting circus animals to abuse and control in a barbaric fashion ”
In Wales, the law has three more stages to pass in the assembly before it becomes law.
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