In what is believed to be the first time in world history, a country has banned the use of all circus animals. A handful of other countries have banned the use of wild animals in circuses, but the Bolivian ban includes domestic animals as well, reports the Associated Press.
Wild animals are banned from circus use in Croatia, Singapore, Austria, Israel and Costa Rica. There are also similar restrictions in the use of wild animals (or particular species) in travelling circuses in Costa Rica, Finland and Denmark.
The Bolivian circus animal ban is the result of evidence of circus abuses gathered by the non-profit animal welfare organization Animal Defenders International (ADI). ADI conducted a series of undercover investigations and found numerous examples of extreme cruelty including pregnant lionesses forced to continue performing, workers beating animals and bears confined to extremely small cages.
The findings of their investigation was presented to the Bolivian Congress together with a report from ADI on the scientific research on the suffering of animals in traveling circuses, "The Science on Suffering."
ADI Chief Executive Jan Creamer said, “This is a truly historic day for circus animals. The undercover investigations, the scientific research and the hard work of our supporters in Bolivia has made a difference for animals that will reach around the world."
Read Animals in Traveling Circuses: The Science on Suffering
Via: ENS
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written by Benjamin Urrutia , August 08, 2009