Legislation
Around the world, the plight of animals in circuses is increasingly heard. National, regional and local governments in at least 30 countries have already banned the use of exotic or all animals in circuses. But Australia’s state and federal laws are failing these animals.
The requirements in the — mostly voluntary — guidelines for the keeping of animals in circuses in Australia are far below what is generally required for the same species kept in zoos and are totally inadequate to protect their welfare. Thankfully, an increasing number of Australian councils are taking an ethical stance by adopting a ban on exotic animal circuses from appearing on council land.