France: wild animals will be gradually banned in circuses
Child watering the elephants of the Medrano circus.
It was in Limoges, July 3, 2015 during a heatwave.
PASCAL LACHENAUD / AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
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It is a victory for defenders of the animal cause.
The presentation of wild animals in traveling circuses will be “gradually” banned in France, the Minister of Ecological Transition, Barbara Pompili, announced on Tuesday, September 29.
She did not give a precise timetable for the implementation of these bans.
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Spinning like a caged lion will soon be a thing of the past.
At least in circuses ... According to Florian Sigronde, of the
National Animal Defense Confederation
, wild animals used in circuses are unhappy, it is obvious and it can be seen in their behavior.
“
First of all, elephants wag their heads and legs repeatedly.
This is really a typical example of the stereotypy of elements that are not found in these animals in the wild.
Hippos live in conditions and pools that are minimal, unlike those species that can be seen in the wild.
Lions literally rotate in cages in spaces that are much too small,
”he said.
Need to eat, reproduce and be protected
Christian Marty represents traditional circuses, he does not understand the decision to ban them.
He specifies that circus animals are generally born in captivity.
“
When we say that the tiger needs space, that's anthropomorphism.
We project in tigers the same needs as humans and it is humans who need space, not animals.
The animal, what it needs, is to eat, to reproduce, to be protected.
And all this, he finds it without making any effort inside animal parks or inside circuses,
”he says.
So what will happen to these 500 wild beasts still present in French circuses?
Solutions will be found on a case-by-case basis, but there will be no question of releasing them.
►Also read: The slaughter of a tiger in the middle of Paris revives the debate on circus animals
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