Circuses
Most people who go to see a circus with performing animals are unaware that, behind the scenes, there is a sad story of cruelty and suffering.
Thankfully, wild animals such as lions, tigers, elephants and bears are rarely seen in circuses these days. However, a circus called the Great British Circus has lions, tigers, horses, ponies, llamas, reindeer, camels and zebras. There are currently two other circuses in the UK, Jolly’s and Bobby Roberts, that use animals (including dogs, horses, camels and llamas). The animals are often dressed up in ridiculous costumes whilst being made to perform degrading tricks that are completely unnatural to them.
Circus animals spend most of the year in transit from one location to another, confined to small wagons. When they are not performing in the ring, they are kept inside small cages or enclosures, or in the vehicles in which they are transported. In order to make the animals carry out the acts that are totally unnatural to them, they are often trained by being beaten, or frightened into submission.
The government announced in 2006, that the Animal Welfare Act, which came into force in April 2007, would ban the use of some animals in circuses from 2008. However, the government have backtracked and now might not introduce a ban. Please write to your MP and ask him or her to support the introduction of a ban on wild animals in circuses that was promised by the government in 2006.
Captive Animals’ Protection Society (CAPS), Animal Defenders International (ADI), Animal Aid and other animal protection groups urge the government to end the use of all animals, not just wild animals, in circuses.
Want to know more?
- Read our Circus factsheet
- Find out more on the Captive Animals’ Protection Society website
Want to make a difference?
