Italy has banned all wild animals in circuses

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Rules on how Italy will implement phasing out all animals used in circuses will be set out within one year by a Ministerial decree.

There are 100 circuses in Italy and an average of 2,000 animals forced to perform in shows across the mediterranean nation.

Animal Defenders International (ADI), a leading non-profit animal welfare organisation, has hailed the decision as a major breakthrough.

Jan Creamer, ADI President, said: “Travelling from place to place, week after week, using temporary collapsible cages and pens, circuses simply cannot provide for the needs of the animals.