From next year, traveling circuses will not be allowed to use wild animals.
Michael Gove, the Environmental Secretary announced this under a new bill that prevents animals like zebras, reindeers, and camels from being part of shows like Circuses.
In 2018, 19 animals were reportedly taking part in traveling circuses in England, animals like Zebras, Camels, and a Racoon were part of the traveling circuses.
So what animals are considered as wild animals? Any animal that is not domesticated in Britain and is not naturally found there is considered as a wild animal.
The ban that was introduced only place a ban on wild animals, domestic animals like dogs, horses, and donkeys will still take part in traveling circuses in England and will be inspected regularly by the authorities.
Wild animals that are included in the Circuses Bill will make it illegal for operators of circuses in Britain to use wild animals in shows.
Secretary Michael Gove said, “Travelling circuses are no place for wild animals in the 21st century and I am pleased that this legislation will put an end to this practice for good. Today’s announcement follows other measures we have taken to strengthen our position as a world leader on animal protection. This includes our ban on ivory sales to protect elephants, and delivering Finn’s Law to strengthen the protection of service animals.”
The ban comes after years of campaigning by animal rights groups in the country.
Last year, the government of Britain promised to introduce a ban by the first month of 2020.
This is not the first time that the government of Britain has got tough on giving rights to animals, recently, 2 laws marked a change in how animals are going to be treated in the UK.
At the end of 2018, the UK banned ivory trade in order to protect wild elephants. The Finn’s Law that was passed in the parliament recently gave strength in the protection of service animals in the country.
The president of the Animal Defenders International, Jan Creamer said, “We are delighted and relieved that the UK Government is bringing in its promised legislation to ban wild animals in circuses. Animal Defenders International has documented suffering and abuse in UK circuses for more than 20 years and this long-awaited measure will stop circus suffering in England, and take us another step closer to the UK-wide ban the public want and the animals need.”