Posted: 29 August 2013. Updated: 30 August 2013
Public opinion polls over the years have shown consistent support for a ban on wild animals in travelling circuses. It is a popular move with the public. Banning the use of animal acts from circuses has also been tested politically and enforced on local authority land.
Species | Should (%) | Should not (%) |
Lions | 13 | 78 |
Tigers | 12 | 79 |
Bears | 9 | 81 |
Elephants | 16 | 74 |
Snakes | 30 | 57 |
Camels | 21 | 79 |
Zebras | 17 | 73 |
Racoons | 19 | 67 |
Parrots | 39 | 48 |
This poll also revealed that more than twice as many people were visiting animal-‐free circuses as opposed to those with animals.
- In the previous 5 years, attendance at animal-‐free circuses had risen from 6% to 16%.
- Animal circuses remained slumped at 7% attendance.
- The most popular forms of animal entertainment attended were: aquariums (50% of respondents), zoos (39%) and safari parks (22%).
ADI surveyed 318 Local Authorities:
- 39% had banned all animal acts
- 17% had banned just wild animal acts
- 22.5% continued to allow animal circuses
- 21.5% said they never received requests from circuses with animals