Contribution

No. I disagree with the premise of making it an offence to use wild animals in travelling circuses and consider there are far far more important topics that the National Assembly for Wales should be focussed on.

I do think it would be eminently sensible to produce legislated requirements of travelling circuses in regards to the well being of wild animals used. A part of this, in my view, must be a requirement to educate and improve awareness of the issues facing wild animals in their natural habitats. Travelling circuses can play, in my view, a valid and invaluable role in educating the public about wild animals and the issues faced where many species are facing extinction.

Last time I went to a travelling circus, which had elephants, we were invited openly to visit the animals after the show where we could see not only how well the animals were being cared for but also be told about where these animals had come from (they had been bred in captivity) and the many issues faced by these animals in the wild. It was informative and engaging.

One concern that I have is what provisions will be made, should this bill be made law, for the safety and well being of any existing wild animals within travelling circuses.

Also, since Wales (last time I looked) is part of the United Kingdom, leading with a piece of legislation such as this creates many potential problems. For example, it could lead to travelling circuses abandoning Wales since if they have wild animals that are permitted in England which aren't in Wales, it would not be economically viable for the travelling circus to "home" its livestock before travelling over the border.

Contribution

Yes - wild animals deserve an environment as close as possible to their natural habitat, and are not to be coerced into unnatural behaviour.

Contribution

Yes. I am not sure that workers are fully trained in looking after the health and well being of the animals. They may be badly treated and not have sufficient room to move and follow their natural instincts. I am also not sure where the animals come from. It is possible that they may have been taken illegally.

Contribution

Animals should be allowed to be a part of a travelling circus if they are in the correct conditions and treated correctly

Contribution

Yes it should be an offence, animals aren't made to "jump" trough hoops, regardless of how their treated, its not natural, and they don’t have a choice, I’m sure many humans wouldn't be happy being forced to do such things

Contribution

It’s wrong to use animals as entertainment
Animals should be able to free and roam around as they like
They deserve to be treated fairly like we are.

Contribution

Ydi, mae’n drosedd sy'n anghredadwy i mi ei bod hi dal yn cael ei chofleidio heddiw. Mae'r cysyniad o ddefnyddio anifeiliaid gwyllt fel modd o adloniant teuluol yn hollol anerbynniol, anaturiol a di-bwynt. Dylai anifeiliaid gael yr hawl i fyw mewn amgylchedd diogel a rhydd. Mae'r ffenomenon o syrcasau teithiol ar drai, felly dylai defnyddio anifeiliaid gwyllt cael ei ddiweddu hefyd.

Translation:

Yes, it is an offence and it is unbelievable to me that it is still being embraced today. The concept of using wild animals as a means of family entertainment is utterly unacceptable, unnatural and pointless. Animals should have the right to live in a safe and free environment. The phenomenon of travelling circuses is in decline, so the use of wild animals should also come to an end.

Contribution

Dylai fod yn drosedd defnyddio anifeiliaid gwyllt mewn syrcasau, maen nhw’n haeddu bod allan yn eu cynefin yn byw eu bywydau naturiol lle dylen nhw fod. Dydyn nhw ddim wedi’r arfer â’r fath awyrgylch â ni ac er mwyn iddynt fod, maent yn cael eu camdrin a’u “hyfforddi”, hynny yw, cyflyru i berfformio triciau anaturiol sydd yn groes i’w greddf a dim ond er mwyn ein diddanu ni, mae hyn yn greulon!

Translation:

It should be an offence to use wild animals in circuses, they deserve to be out in their own habitat living their natural lives where they should be. They are not used to the same type of environment as us, and in order for them to be, they are being mistreated and “trained”, that is, encouraged to perform unnatural tricks that are against their instincts and only in order to entertain us, this is cruel

Contribution

I am of the view that young people being able to see wild animals, that are well cared for, enables them to understand their beauty and the need to preserve and protect the various species of wild animals that exist, so long as viewing them is coupled with appropriate education and awareness. The opportunity to see them in travelling circuses ensures that a wider range of young people can see wild animals. In overall terms, so long as the care and well being of the animals is at the best standards, then I see the opportunity to experience wild animals in a visiting travelling circus is a positive one.

By contrast, if this bill is permitted to succeed, then young people will have a much reduced opportunity to experience wild animals given the rising costs of visiting zoo's. I do think that enhanced regulations are needed, coupled with appropriate oversight, to ensure the well being of animals that are part of travelling circuses. But I don’t think that banning their use is a positive way of preserving their well being.

Contribution

Negative - it portrays wild animals as things for human entertainment. It denies the need for conservation.

Contribution

Negative. They are kept in cramped quarters without sufficient room to move, hunt etc. They should be in the wild. Seeing them perform in a circus gives children the impression that it is acceptable to remove wild animals from their natural habitats for human entertainment.

Contribution

Good impact, it is more respectful of animals.

Contribution

Seeing animals in a circus will give children the impression that it is acceptable to keep wild animals in cramped quarters so that they can provide entertainment. It isn't. They can instead realise that wild animals should be in the wild. We can now watch fabulous film of the animals in the wild. Much better to see this rather than a cowed animal in a circus.

Contribution

Definitely not - they should only be seen in as close a natural habitat as possible (sanctuaries and in the wild). Emphasis must be on protection and education, not on entertainment.

Contribution

No. Animals are not always well treated. If you really want to see wild animals then well run, reputable zoos are the best place (unless you can see them in the wild)

Contribution

Yr unig beth y gallent wir ei ddysgu yw fod lle anifeiliaid gwyllt yn y gwyllt ac nid yn y syrcas, mae’n anheg ar yr anifeiliaid fod yn gaeth yn y syrcas ac mae sawl gwahanol ffordd o ddysgu plant am anifeiliaid fel y profwyd gan sawl techneg ddysgu yn yr ysgol ac ati.

Translation:

The only thing that we can truly learn is that the place for wild animals is in the wild and not in a circus. It’s unfair for the animals to be stuck in circus and there are many different ways of teaching children about animals as has been proven by many teaching techniques in the school and so on.