Tue 29 September 2020:
The French government will implement an 8 million-euro ($9.2 million) package to help people working in circuses
France – France’s environment minister has announced a gradual ban on using wild animals in traveling circuses, on keeping dolphins and killer whales in captivity in marine parks and on raising mink on fur farms.
Barbara Pompili, France’s minister of ecological transition, said in a news conference Tuesday that bears, tigers, lions, elephants and other wild animals won’t be allowed any more in traveling circuses “in the coming years.”
“Today, I announce the progressive end of the presence of wild animals in travelling circuses, a ban on the presence of orcas and dolphins in dolphinariums not adapted to the needs of marine mammals, and the end of mink farming for fur,” she said.
She said the measures would affect about 80 circuses, which have some 230 animals, including big cats, elephants, hippos, wolves and others.
France, which has three dolphinariums, will not allow the opening of new ones and wants the closure of existing ones within seven to 10 years. She also wants the closure of four mink farms within five years.
The French government will implement an 8 million-euro ($9.2 million) package to help people working in circuses and marine parks find other jobs.
Some 20 European countries have already banned or limited the presence of wild animals in circuses. In France, many cities already do not allow circuses with wild animal shows to pitch their tents.
Animal rights group Fondation Brigitte Bardot said in a statement it would welcome all circus animals, “who are currently kept captive and exploited in terrible circumstances”. ($1 = 0.8546 euros)
