Parliament has finally banned the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in England from January 2020.
Following more than 20 years of campaigning by animal rights groups, the Wild Animals in Circuses (No. 2) Bill passed its third, and final, reading (24 July) in the House of Lords.
Campaign
Ros Clubb, senior scientific manager at the RSPCA, said: “The RSPCA has campaigned for decades for this practice to be outlawed, highlighting how the welfare of wild animals based in such settings is likely to be heavily compromised.
“The transient nature of circuses – alongside cramped accommodation and forced training for animals – highlights how inappropriate they are for wild animals.“
Complex needs
Dr Clubb added: “Wild animals like zebras, camels, raccoons and reindeer have complex needs that can never be adequately met in a circus.
“We believe their welfare is compromised with stressful, frequent journeys, cramped and bare temporary housing, forced training and performance. We are glad the practice of using wild animals in circuses is to be consigned to the history books in England at long last.”
Welsh plans
In Wales, RSPCA Cymru has long led the campaign to ban the use of wild animals in circuses – and the reality of such a ban on Wales’ soil is now closer than ever with a bill recently introduced to the National Assembly for Wales.
More than 6,500 responses were submitted to a recent consultation on the draft bill, with 97% backing legislation to make using a wild animal in a travelling circus an offence.
Scottish ban
Approximately 9,000 people in Wales previously backed an RSPCA petition calling for a ban.
Scotland has already banned wild animals being used in circuses and this has been in place since January 2018.
- For further reaction, read the 5 August issue of Veterinary Times.