Michael Gove has announced a ban on wild animals from next year

Travelling circuses will be banned from using wild animals from next year.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove announced a new bill to prevent animals such as reindeer, zebras and camels being forced to perform in circuses in England.

The move has been welcomed by animal rights groups who have campaigned for years to stop the ‘cruel spectacle’ of performing animals.

David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said: ‘We really welcome the Government introducing a Bill to ban the outdated practice of using wild animals in circuses.


‘We’ve campaigned against having wild animals in circuses for many years. They have complex needs that cannot be properly met in a circus environment.



‘It’s high time keeping wild animals in circuses is consigned to the history books and we look forward to the day that it is banned for good in England.’

There are now just two circuses with wild animal licences – Circus Mondao and Peter Jolly’s circus.

Metro.co.uk has learnt that between them they have 19 animals – six reindeer, four zebra, camels, three raccoons, a fox, a macaw, and a zebu.

The circuses maintain they look after their animals correctly and deny they are wild.

Zebras and camels are still used in circuses in England

The UK government announced early in 2018 that wild-animal circuses would be banned in 2020.

Mr Gove has now introduced legislation to make that happen in England from January next year.

Scotland already has a ban in place while one in Wales is set to come into force within months.

Northern Ireland had started moves to introduce a ban but that has now faltered with the collapse of the power-sharing government.

The results of a recent survey showed that 95% of people supported a ban.

Mr Gove said: ‘Travelling circuses are no place for wild animals in the 21st century and I am pleased that this legislation will put an end to this practice for good.

‘Today’s announcement follows other measures we have taken to strengthen our position as a world leader on animal protection.

‘This includes our ban on ivory sales to protect elephants, and delivering Finn’s Law to strengthen the protection of service animals.’