What do you think?
In the last 5 years, 41 councils across Australia have banned circuses due to community uproar over the use of exotic animals.
The most recent ban has been introduced in Canterbury-Bankstown Shire in Sydney’s south-west, where circuses are now unable to operate on council land.
The events can still take place on public land, however many circus owners are struggling to pay the hire and insurance fees.
The use of animals in circus has long been a controversial issues, with organisations such as the Animal Justice Party saying that they are suffering “psychological distress, anxiety, stress, and bored as part of travelling circuses”. According to the party, Australia is “lagging behind the rest of the word” with 48 countries having already banned animals in circuses.
However, as 9News reports, others “say it is harmless fun”, and that the animals are well treated. Owners of Stardust Circus told 9News that they had just recently received an A rating from the NSW for the facilities built for the animals.
Many animal activists say that you can enjoy the circus without animals and point to examples such as Cirque du Soleil, Circus Oz, and Zirka Circus.
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Written by Kate Stevens
Images: Unsplash
