Pressure grows on Government for ban on wild animals in circuses

Jun 3, 2011

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has this week written to the Prime Minister urging him to ensure the coalition government reviews its recent decision not to prohibit the use of wild animals in circuses.

Read about it in the Independent >>

As the world's largest alliance of animal welfare organisations, and has consultative status at the UN and Council of Europe, WSPA is adding a powerful voice to the debate.    

Charities working together

Ahead of an adjournment debate on the issue in the House of Commons next week, there is mounting pressure on the Government to assure the public, MPs and animal charities alike that it will respond to calls for a ban on wild animals in circuses.

WSPA, along with a strong coalition of other animal charities, has signed a letter which states that the UK’s continued failure to ban the outdated practice of using wild animals in circuses, whilst many other countries have already done so, undermines the UK’s international reputation on animal welfare.

Read the coalition letter online >>

Government needs to take action

WSPA has already highlighted the consequences of a current legal loophole, which in recent weeks has allowed an animal 'fayre' to promise Londoners the opportunity to get up close to wild animals like tiger cubs, snakes and even a hippo.

Ekram Alam’s Animal Fayre, advertised via Groupon, offered members of the public the chance to 'tickle a tiger' or 'cuddle a crocodile' at an event advertised as being held at the Camden Centre. Organisers were forced to pull the plug on the event under pressure from WSPA, Camden Council and other wildlife campaigners, including the Born Free Foundation.

Simon Pope, WSPA UK head of external affairs, said: "At a time when there is public indignation about government dithering over ending the use of performing animals in circuses, WSPA would like to see Westminster exercising its powers under the Animal Welfare Act to also prevent these equally circus-like events from happening in the future.

"We would like the Government to step in and act, sending a clear message that events like Ekram Alam’s Animal Fayre have no place in London, and no place in Britain."

Chris Draper, senior scientific researcher, the Born Free Foundation said: "The Born Free Foundation and the WSPA are united in determination to see an end to the exploitation of wild animals for so-called entertainment. Training, handling, transport, inadequate housing and social groupings, and other restrictions and stresses imposed by a life of public or tv and film performances are simply incompatible with the needs of wild animals in particular. Alongside other organisations, we work together to expose cruelty and compromised welfare, and we are keen to encourage venues and local authorities across the country to carefully consider any proposals for events that may include live animals."  

How you can help

WSPA member society the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has been campaigning for a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses for the past 10 years. Join their Big Stop campaign and help put an end to this outdated practice once and for all.

You can also join in with the Independent’s campaign – more than 25,000 people have signed their online petition calling for a ban. Sign up online >> 

Please email your MP and ask them to forward your email to the Prime Minister urging him to:

• Do the right thing
• Listen to public opinion
• Reconsider the decision to withdraw a proposed ban on the use of wild animals in circuses in England.