Portugal to ban wild animals in circuses by 2024
PORTUGAL TO BAN WILD ANIMALS IN CIRCUSES BY 2024
Lions, tigers, elephants, camels and zebras are among more than 1,000 animals set to be banned from use in circuses in Portugal by 2024.
When the ban comes into force, the Portuguese government has indicated that attempts will be made to place the animals in wildlife shelters in Portugal or overseas.
Since 2009 there has been a ban on the breeding or introduction of wild animals into Portuguese circuses. Yet, there were no plans to entirely ban the use of wild animals already in the circus… until now. Born Free has always been wholly opposed to the use of wild animals in circuses and welcomes this step by the Portuguese government.
In the UK, Scotland has already introduced a ban on wild animals in circuses, while the Westminster government has promised to do so in England by 2020. The Welsh government is proposing a ban on wild animals in travelling circuses for which they have launched a public consultation, closing on 26th November 2018.
Please help make the proposed ban in Wales become a reality. Write your letter to the Welsh government here
© DirkJan Ranzijn (Flickr CC)