Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

Government Plans for Wild Animals in Circuses

25 April 2012

Categories: Homepage News, Zoo Check Campaign News

Today marks the end of the public consultation on the Government’s plans for regulation and licensing of wild animals in travelling circuses in England. The Born Free Foundation, in common with all the main animal welfare organisations, has decided to boycott the consultation. We simply do not agree that regulation and licensing in any form will protect or promote the welfare of wild animals in circuses, and the consultation does not allow for consideration of what we feel is the only sensible and effective measure: a complete ban on wild animals in travelling circuses.

Cindy Machado, of the Marin Humane Society in California, USA, has supplied us with a statement on her experiences of enforcing animal protection regulations for animals in travelling circuses, which highlights the shortcomings of the Government’s approach:

"Enforcement is difficult, expensive, and many circuses easily deceive inspectors. Most of the brutalities occur once the inspector is out of sight. The species of animals often used in circuses have tremendous needs, most of which cannot be met while travelling. A life of confinement, inadequate care, inhumane training techniques and stress creates serious harm to these animals"

You can read the full statement here

We note the Government’s stated commitment to a ban at some point in the future, and we met with the Minister, Lord Taylor, to discuss the progress towards such a ban. We are awaiting written confirmation of certain key details regarding the Government’s plans, and we will keep you updated.