Netherlands Bans Wild Animals in Circuses

ANIMAL RIGHTS - VEGETARIANISM, 21 Sep 2015

Amanda Froelich, True Activist – TRANSCEND Media Service

It is now illegal for wild animals such as lions, bears, elephants and giraffes to be used in circuses in the Netherlands!

Tuesday, September 15, 2015, a ban on wild animals in circuses officially went into effect in the Netherlands. As FourPaws reports, the ban was passed just last week and has left animal rights activists everywhere breathing a bit easier.

Wild animals, such as lions, bears, elephants, and giraffes, will no longer have to endure extensive travel or life in cramped, poorly-laid-out enclosures for the sole purpose of entertaining humans.

As has been shared before, life for an animal in captivity is not at glamorous as it might appear to be in the ring. Oftentimes, circus animals undergo rigorous training (causing mass amounts of stress) and/or abuse inflicted by trainers seeking to instill fear.

Of the 22 active circuses in the Netherlands, 16 own a total of 119 various wild animals. Species that are banned from 15 September 2015 include giraffes, elephants, tigers, lions, zebras, sea lions and primates.

Credit: The Plaid Zebra

Wilde Dieren de Tent Uit, the association of Dutch animal welfare organizations, has spent the last nine years working towards the ban on wild animals in circuses to be carried out in the Netherlands. The association is now offering to help circuses find new, species-appropriate homes for the animals.

Nine European countries have already implemented a ban on keeping wild animals in circuses, including Austria, Greece, and Belgium. In addition, the Maltese president passed a similar initiative in October 2014.

After Costa Rica decided to close its zoos and free animals in captivity, this news certainly hints at more positive developments to come in the near future.

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