“Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!”

Exclamations like this will no longer be heard in French circuses and marine parks in upcoming years.

France’s Environment Minister announced a gradual ban on using wild animals in travelling circuses as part of new rules set to take effect in coming years. The new measures will also ban the keeping and breeding of dolphins and killer whales in captivity in France’s three marine parks and raising mink on fur farms.

Barbara Pompili, France’s Minister of Ecological transition, said in a news conference earlier this week, the new measures would affect about 80 circuses that kept around 230 animals. Lions, tigers, bears, elephants and other wild animals will no longer be allowed in travelling circuses under the ban. The ban does not however, encompass wild animals kept in permanent shows or zoos.

An exact date for when the circus ban will take effect has not yet been set. Pompili did state however, that the process should start “as soon as possible.”

Pompili promised that solutions for each rescued animal would be found “on a case-by-case basis” and the decision was made in an effort to protect animal welfare. “It is time to open a new era in our relationship with these animals” she said. “It is time that our ancestral fascination with these wild beings no longer means they end up in captivity” she added.

The French government will implement an 8 million-euro package to support people working in circuses and marine parks find new jobs. “That transition will be spread over several years, because it will change the lives of many people,” Pompili said.

The announcement was met with anger from the circus industry. William Kerwich, the head of the Circus Animals Trainers’ Union, told French television that “circuses will have to abandon their animals and the Minister will be responsible.”

Meanwhile, animal rights groups have praised the French government’s announcement.

About 20 European countries have already banned or limited the presence of wild animals in circuses. Many cities in France already do not permit circuses with wild animal shows.

Courtesy of Zoe M. McCoy

Main source: BBC