Circus opinion polls UK
Public opinion polls over the years have shown consistent support for a ban on wild animals in travelling circuses.
Public opinion polls over the years have shown consistent support for a ban on wild animals in travelling circuses. It is a popular move with the public. Banning the use of animal acts from circuses has also been tested politically and enforced on local authority land.
- 2013 YouGov poll; public were asked whether certain species should or should not be allowed to be used in travelling circuses:
| Species | Should (%) | Should not (%) |
| Lions | 13 | 78 |
| Tigers | 12 | 79 |
| Bears | 9 | 81 |
| Elephants | 16 | 74 |
| Snakes | 30 | 57 |
| Camels | 21 | 79 |
| Zebras | 17 | 73 |
| Racoons | 19 | 67 |
| Parrots | 39 | 48 |
- 2011 ComRes poll for ADI
-71% of the public backed a ban.
- 2011 Dods Parliamentary Poll for ADI asked 100 MPs whether the government should ban the use of wild animals in circuses rather than let the industry self-‐regulate:
– 63% of MPs agreed or strongly agreed
– 14% disagreed or strongly disagreed
– 6% did not respond.
- 2005 MORI Poll for ADI showed:
– 65% say ban all animal circus acts.
– 80% say ban all wild animal circus acts.
– Only 7% strongly opposed the call for a ban.
This poll also revealed that more than twice as many people were visiting animal-‐free circuses as opposed to those with animals.
– In the previous 5 years, attendance at animal-‐free circuses had risen from 6% to 16%.
– Animal circuses remained slumped at 7% attendance.
– The most popular forms of animal entertainment attended were: aquariums (50% of respondents), zoos (39%) and safari parks (22%).
- 2004 NOP for ADI:
– 63% of the public wanted to see all animal acts banned from circuses
– Only 8% strongly disagreed
- 1999 MORI poll for ADI:
– 72% wanted wild animals banned
- Over 200 local authorities (with support of local communities) have bans on animal circuses (over two thirds all animals; remainder wild animals)
ADI surveyed 318 Local Authorities:
– 39% had banned all animal acts
– 17% had banned just wild animal acts
– 22.5% continued to allow animal circuses
– 21.5% said they never received requests from circuses with animals