Ban all animal circuses in SA

Exotic animals in circuses are routinely subjected to months on the road confined in small, barren cages. These animals are forced to live in enclosures denying them every opportunity to express their natural behaviour and their training is often based on fear and punishment as revealed by numerous undercover investigations. As circuses play no meaningful role in education or conservation, the lifelong suffering of these animals continues only for the sake of a few minutes of entertainment.

Circuses defend the use of exotic animals by claiming the animals are loved and well cared for. But, adding to an overwhelming body of evidence, the 2009 scientific review 'Are wild animals suited to a travelling circus life?' by the University of Bristol in the UK confirms that it is impossible to satisfy the behavioural and welfare needs of exotic animals in travelling circuses. The scientists conclude that "the species of non-domesticated animals commonly kept in circuses appear the least suited to a circus life."

Living conditions in circuses cause severe stress and frustration to non-domesticated animals, leading to abnormal behaviour such as pacing by big cats and domesticated dogs, head bobbing by elephants or mouthing cage bars. These behaviours are scientifically acknowledged as indicators of an impaired welfare due to the inability to cope with unsuitable living conditions.

Please sign and share this petition and let the South Australian government know we want a state wide ban on circuses such as Lennon Brothers Circus, Stardust Circus, Silvers Circus and Ashton family circuses, who all contain animals.

Letter to

South Australian Government

Davenport MPIain Evans

Bright MPChloe Fox

and 24 others

Morialta MPJohn Gardner

Torrens MPRobyn Geraghty

Kavel MPMark Goldsworthy

Goyder MPSteven Griffiths

Waite MPMartin Hamilton-Smith

Kaurna MPJohn Hill

Newland MPTom Kenyon

Ashford MPSteph Key

West Torrens MPTom Koutsantonis

Elder MPPatrick Conlon

Port Adelaide MPSusan Close

Bragg MPVickie Chapman

Playford MPJack Snelling

Adelaide MPRachel Sanderson

Minister for Agriculture, Food and FisheriesGail Gago

Cheltenham MP and State MPJay Weatherill

Croydon MPMichael Atkinson

Florey MPFrances Bedford

Ramsay MPZoe Bettison

Mawson MPLeon Bignell

Giles MPLyn Breuer

Frome MPGeoff Brock

Colton MPPaul Caica

Norwood MPSteven Marshall

Exotic animals in circuses are routinely subjected to months on the road confined in small, barren cages. These animals are forced to live in enclosures denying them every opportunity to express their natural behaviour and their training is often based on fear and punishment as revealed by numerous undercover investigations. As circuses play no meaningful role in education or conservation, the lifelong suffering of these animals continues only for the sake of a few minutes of entertainment.

Circuses defend the use of exotic animals by claiming the animals are loved and well cared for. But, adding to an overwhelming body of evidence, the 2009 scientific review 'Are wild animals suited to a travelling circus life?' by the University of Bristol in the UK confirms that it is impossible to satisfy the behavioural and welfare needs of exotic animals in travelling circuses. The scientists conclude that "the species of non-domesticated animals commonly kept in circuses appear the least suited to a circus life."

Living conditions in circuses cause severe stress and frustration to non-domesticated animals, leading to abnormal behaviour such as pacing by big cats and domesticated dogs, head bobbing by elephants or mouthing cage bars. These behaviours are scientifically acknowledged as indicators of an impaired welfare due to the inability to cope with unsuitable living conditions

I am writing this to let you know that I want you to do everything in your power to create a statewide ban on all circuses containing animals.