Should the keeping of wild animals in circuses be banned?

Poll results

Should the keeping of wild animals in circuses be banned?
Support
Reject
Don't know
68%
22%
9%
PolitPro Community – 3566 respondents – 29.09.2023-06.10.2023

Poll information

Should the keeping of wild animals in circuses be banned? 68% of respondents were in favor of banning the keeping of wild animals in circuses, while 22% were against.

9% chose the answer "Don't know". The survey was conducted among 3566 users of the PolitPro app during 29.09.2023-06.10.2023. The results are not representative, but may give a rough idea of the political mood around the issue.

Pros - What's in favor?

  1. Animal welfare: keeping wild animals in circuses can lead to stress, restriction of natural behaviors, and poor veterinary care. Banning the keeping of wild animals in circuses would strengthen animal welfare and ensure that these animals live in conditions appropriate to their species.
  2. Ethics: the use of wild animals in the circus for the entertainment of the public is increasingly considered unethical. Animals should not suffer or be abused for our entertainment purposes. Banning the keeping of wild animals in the circus would be an important step towards the ethically responsible treatment of animals.
  3. Safety: wild animals such as elephants, tigers, and lions are potentially dangerous and could pose a threat to the safety of circus workers and visitors. Banning the keeping of wild animals in circuses would reduce the risk of accidents and incidents and ensure the safety of all involved.

Cons - What's against it?

  1. Tradition and culture: the keeping of wild animals in circuses has a long tradition and is part of cultural entertainment. A ban could be seen as restricting artistic freedom and interfering with traditions and culture.
  2. Education and awareness: the circus can be a way to educate audiences about wildlife and raise awareness about their importance and species conservation. Direct encounters with animals can help generate interest and responsibility for biodiversity conservation.
  3. Regulation and control: Instead of a ban, stricter regulations and controls for the keeping of wild animals in circuses could be introduced to ensure that the animals are well cared for and kept in a species-appropriate manner. This would ensure the protection of animals while maintaining entertainment opportunities.