​Most Scots back a ban on wild animals being made to perform in circuses

Scots don’t want to see wild animals in circuses, a Scottish Government consultation has found.

Some 98% of respondents to a public consultation on the issue supported a complete ban on the use of animals such as lions, tigers and elephants in travelling circuses.

The consultation results have been welcomed by animal welfare charities, the Born Free Foundation, OneKind and People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

A spokesperson for the two organisations said that “it was now time for the Scottish Government to act in the interests of both animals and people” and ban the
practice once and for all”.

A total of 2,003 respondents (98%) to the consultation indicated that they thought the use of wild animals for performance in travelling circuses should be banned in Scotland.

And some 1,969 respondents (96%) indicated that they thought the use of wild animals for exhibition (without performing) in travelling circuses should be outlawed.

A simple ban would reflect modern attitudes to animals and the overwhelming will of the Scottish public - Libby Anderson

In 2012, the Westminster government released a draft bill to ban the use of wild animals in circuses on ethical grounds inviting Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to join together in creating UK-wide legislation.

Since that time, animal welfare charities have complained that no progress has been made on the implementation of the ban.

The inaction in Westminster, said the two charities, signals an opportunity for Scotland to lead the way by acting independently.

Libby Anderson, OneKind policy director, said: “Although Scotland has no resident circuses using wild animals, we have always warned that not banning these entertainments would simply leave the door open for them to set up here at any time.

“That is what happened with the big cats overwintering in Aberdeenshire and their owner attempting to use them in public shows.

“A simple ban would reflect modern attitudes to animals and the overwhelming will of the Scottish public.”

Will Travers, president of the Born Free Foundation, said the message from the Scottish public “could not be clearer: people don’t want to see wild animals in circuses in this country any longer.

He added: “The Scottish Government now has a real chance to demonstrate that it is a progressive force for animal welfare.

“With inaction in Westminster meaning that the potential UK-wide ban is currently on hold, Scotland is in a great position to lead the way and implement the first wild animal circus ban in the British Isles”.

Aberdeenshire-based Modo, a youth circus that celebrates human achievement and creativity, said it was concerned about negative perceptions of circuses fostered by the continued use of wild animals.

“Important as it is to stop wild animal use for moral reasons, its very existence also makes our work harder, said director Martin Danziger.

“We have to work harder to communicate the difference between two things that call themselves circuses, and to work to counter negative perceptions.”

PETA' director Mimi Bekhechi said: "The Scottish public's opinion on wild animals used in circuses has been voiced loud and clear. In the 21st century, it's obscene for wild animals to be denied everything that is natural and important to them, confined to cages or boxcars and dragged around the country and forced to perform demeaning and often painful tricks for human amusement.

"It's now time for the Scottish Government to implement the will of the people and send circuses that use wild animals packing."