Great News! Welsh Wild-Animal Circus Ban Comes Into Effect Today
Celebrations are in full swing at PETA this morning as the law banning the use of wild animals in travelling circuses comes into effect across Wales. From today, no more wild animals will be carted up and down the country and forced to perform – a huge win for animals!
With this compassionate move, Wales joins England, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland, and dozens of other nations around the world in banning wild-animal circuses.
“This Bill will address the ethical concerns of people across Wales by banning the use of wild animals in travelling circuses. The use of wild animals for entertainment in this way is outdated. Wild animals are sentient beings with complex needs, and they should not be seen as commodities for our entertainment.”
– Lesley Griffiths, Welsh Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs
PETA Supporters Helped Make It Happen
The bill was introduced in 2019 following a public consultation in which 97% of respondents, including PETA supporters, backed a ban.
A PETA representative also spoke at the Welsh Parliament to give evidence in support of the bill, and thousands of PETA supporters e-mailed Michael Gove, then the UK secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, to urge him to ban these cruel spectacles.
What’s Wrong With Wild-Animal Circuses?
Wild-animal circuses are an archaic form of animal exploitation. Captivity is a living hell for animals such as tigers, zebras, and lions. A circus environment can’t possibly meet their complex needs.
©Jo-Anne McArthur / One Voice
The animals become frustrated, stressed, and depressed from a lifetime of being denied everything that’s natural and important to them. They’re kept caged in trailers that are hauled around the country, and they’re forced to perform confusing tricks under the big top, motivated by fear of punishment.
What You Can Do for Animals in Captivity
Never, ever attend a wild-animal circus or any other exhibit that exploits animals for entertainment. Instead, opt for animal-friendly family activities.
All wild animals suffer in captivity. Please speak up for the marine mammals forced to live in watery prisons and entertain humans by urging TUI to stop selling tickets to SeaWorld:
