Portuguese circuses hit by ban
The law prohibits the purchase of all species of primates, bears, seals, hippopotamuses, penguins, crocodiles, elephants, big cats, sea turtles, some lizards, ostriches, scorpions, serpents, etc. Breeding animals that already live in circuses is also not allowed. The Ministry of Environment introduced the legislation to protect the species and their welfare, as well as public safety because the listed species are considered dangerous due to their size or because they are poisonous. Only authorised premises such as zoos will be allowed to keep these species and circuses and pet shops are not included. CAPS helped launch the first major campaign against animal circuses in the country with Portuguese campaign group ANIMAL, who used our findings and translated our campaign materials for distribution. WHAT YOU CAN DO Please ask your MP to write to Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Minister of State (Minister for Food, Farming and Environment), urging him to bring in a ban on animal circuses, as is happening elsewhere around the world. If you do not know who your MP is, click here (you can also send an e-mail direct to your MP from this website). You can also write to Jim Fitzpatrick yourself asking him to implement a ban:
Photos credited: CAPS |
The use of some wild animals will be phased-out in Portuguese circuses thanks to a new law introduced in October.
In 1999 CAPS investigated circuses in Portugal, working with the Sunday People to discourage British tourists from visiting the shows. Our investigators filmed frightened baboons strapped to horses as they ran wildly around the ring, performing dogs beaten with sticks in front of the audience, lions and tigers confined to beastwagons in the sweltering heat and animals in poor health. Click 