Should Circuses Stop Using Wild Animals?
Lions jumping through burning rings of fire. Tigers riding on the backs of horses. These are just a couple of the popular circus acts that may soon be banned in Mexico. That country’s Congress recently passed a bill that would make it illegal for traveling circuses to use wild animals. The bill will become a law if President Enrique Peña Nieto signs it. About 30 other countries have some type of ban on wild-animal acts in circuses. Some members of the U.S. Congress hope to pass a similar law here.
Many animal-rights supporters accuse circuses of abusing animals to get them to do tricks. They also argue that the animals spend much of their time in cages or being hauled in trailers or trains from city to city.
“Traveling circuses simply cannot provide animals with the facilities they need to lead happy and healthy lives,” says Congressman Alan Lowenthal of California.
But circus officials say that their animals get top-notch care. They point out that the animals’ living conditions are regularly inspected by government officials.
“We pride ourselves on the level of care and the healthy environment we provide for all our animal performers,” says the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus on its website.