Belgium Bans Wild Animals in Circuses!

Good News! Belgium has banned the use of wild animals in circuses. They passed a bill presented by the Minister of Animal Welfare. There were concerns of the living conditions for the animals that are in circuses for a while. Last year, Belgium tried to adopt laws that would require circuses not to use wild animals but the  Global Action in the Interest of Animals (GAIA) said those standards couldn't be met. “It is clear that the welfare of wild animals cannot be guaranteed in circuses; they have no place there. A ban is the only logical step. We are very pleased; it’s yet another victory in the fight for animals.” said by Ann De Greef, Director of GAIA. The treatment of animals have become more prominent and the fact that the animals have to " be exposed and range from severe confinement, grueling transport, an inability to engage in natural behaviors, the stress of being forced to perform for large crowds and the physical and psychological issues that their living conditions cause." is just not fair. there have been multiple attempts to stop the use of wild animals in circuses but most of the time the shows continued even though they violated the Animal Welfare Act. in the U.S animal advocates are trying to get the  Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act passed but legislature didn't pass it. they are hoping to give it another try this year. “Keeping elephants in chains, confining wild animals like lions and tigers in small cages, and forcing them to perform unnatural tricks for the sole purpose of human amusement is increasingly difficult to justify the more we learn about these intelligent, social creatures,” said Moran at the bill’s original announcement. It is a great step in the right direction but people need to act on these situations now to officially end the abuse these animals are going through in the circus.

 http://www.care2.com/causes/victory-belgium-bans-wild-animals-in-circuses.html#ixzz3nQ6m2dfx