Do they still use animals in circuses?

Since the 1800s, circuses have made a spectacle out of sensitive, intelligent animals, including elephants, tigers, and bears. While forward-thinking shows have gone animal-free, some traveling circuses still have animals in 2025.

Do circuses still use animals in the UK?

Travelling circuses in England, Scotland, and Wales are no longer legally allowed to use wild animals in their shows. However, there are still thousands of wild animals legally kept and trained for other performance activities.

Do circuses with animals still exist?

But, while some in the industry have evolved, there are others, like Shriner circuses, Carden Circus, Loomis Bros. Circus and Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, that continue to use wild animals. At many county and state fairs and festivals, tigers, lions, bears and sea lions are still forced to perform circus tricks.

What countries still allow animals in circuses?

While certain regions within some countries have bans in place, many people will be surprised to learn that countries including France, Germany, Spain, Australia and the USA, do not yet have nationwide bans and continue to see wild animals being used in circuses, despite many smaller nations such as Bolivia, Serbia, ...

When did England ban circus animals?

ENGLAND. In July 2019, the UK government passed a law banning the the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in England. The ban came into force on 20th January 2020.

Alec Baldwin: Boycott Circuses That Use Animals

Why did Ringling Brothers stop using animals?

Using dangerous, captive animals in performances also jeopardizes people, particularly children. Since the 1970s, scores have been hurt or killed by circus animals. After decades of advocacy efforts, Ringling Bros. retired all of its elephants in 2016 before going on hiatus the following year.

Are elephants in the circus illegal?

Yes — Hawaii and New Jersey have banned the use of wild animals in circuses and traveling acts, while California has banned the use of almost all animals in circuses only. Other states have banned or restricted the use of elephants in traveling acts.

Does Cirque du Soleil use animals?

There were no animal acts or star performers, and there was no talking. Instead, the shows were built around an imaginative fusion of varied acrobatic and artistic disciplines culled from around the world.

Which country banned circus animals first?

By the 1990s, circus owners started seeing the writing on the wall — profits dwindled, then, in 2009, Bolivia became the first country to ban all animals from circuses.

Does Ringling Brothers still have elephants?

Ringling Bros. retired all of its elephants in 2016, ending a 145-year tradition, after pushback from the public about the pachyderms being forced to perform. Bullhooks, which resemble fire pokers and were used to control elephants during training, were also banned in cities and states across the United States.

Are circus animals banned in Australia?

While currently there are no big cats in circuses in Australia, the practice is not banned at state nor federal levels. Nor is there any national welfare standard for circus animals.

Are animals still evolving?

This process began with the very first living creatures and will continue until there's no life left. What makes modern evolution so fascinating is that in some cases, it's occurring at an accelerated rate. It's often so fast that humans can see the changes in just a few generations.

Are horses allowed in circuses?

In 2020 a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses came into force. These bans have excluded animals that are classed as 'domestic', like horses, llamas, dogs, birds and others.

How many circuses still use animals?

There are still circuses in the US that operate today.

However, there are still circuses in business today that travel around the country with wildlife, including Loomis Bros Circus, Jordan World, Carden International, Royal Hanneford, and Carson & Barnes.

Are dogs used in circuses?

Circuses have been around for hundreds of years and have traditionally used animals. Although many use dogs and horses, those that use wild animals, particularly bears, elephants, tigers and lions, are very popular.

How much do Ringling performers get paid?

The estimated total pay range for a Circus Performer at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is $32K–$52K per year, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Circus Performer base salary at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is $41K per year.

Are lions allowed in circus in the UK?

Wild animals cannot be exhibited or used in a performance as part of a travelling circus in England.

Who was the last circus elephant in the UK?

Anne was the last of the UK's circus elephants.

Others say the Anne case was a one off and decry moves to ban circus animals as the killing of a tradition. The use of animals in the circus dates back about 150 years.

When did elephants stop being used in circus?

Guest post by Susan Nance It was big news recently when Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus finally bowed to public pressure and their accountants to announce that they will phase out live elephants in their traveling shows by 2018. The circus company is the last one to hold a large herd of elephants.

Are animals allowed in circus in America?

In the U.S., there are currently eight states and nearly 200 localities (cities, towns, and counties) across 37 states that have passed various restrictions or bans involving the use of wild animals in circuses.

Do circuses still use animals in Ireland?

Irish circuses no longer feature wild animals in their productions, however Ireland's National Circus Fossetts has defended the use of horses and dogs in its show.

Are circus animals banned in Spain?

The new law will finally bring about a complete prohibition of wild animals in circuses throughout the entire country and follows many years of campaigning by the InfoCircos coalition of NGOs, whose perseverance has already seen 12 of the country's 17 regions bring in localised bans.