Stop Circus Suffering

It is important that the Animal Welfare Bill specifically outlaw violence during training, and the ‘cruelty offence’ and ‘duty of care’ as they stand, will not be able to prevent violence in training if different standards of welfare are produced for performing animals.

More than any other industry, due to the nature of a travelling circus – with the concomitant restrictions on cage sizes and poor environment – the evidence has shown that travelling circuses cannot adequately provide for the basic welfare and environmental needs of the animals in their care.

In 1997, there were 350 animals touring with UK circuses, including 16 elephants and 31 lions and tigers.

ADI presented the report of the first in-depth study of the use of animals in circuses in 1998, at a House of Commons reception. Since that time, several further reports have been presented, all based upon empirical evidence – observations, videotapes, and photographs.

Collectively the evidence provided here demonstrates that animals, whether exotic or domesticated, are likely to be suffering as a result of living in a travelling circus.

It is vitally important to house species in appropriate group structures. For many species social living provides more benefits than simply finding food and avoiding predation, it is a major source of stimulation.