Bolivia bans animal circuses
2009-05-14
Animal Defenders International Media Release
Animal Defenders International (ADI) is delighted that a ban on the use
of animals in circuses is within reach in Bolivia. A bill proposing a
ban was passed in the Plenary of the Bolvian Senate yesterday.
The Bill, tabled by Congresswoman Ximena Flores, representative of the
Department of Potosi, was previously approved by Plenary of the Chamber
of Deputies and the Commission of Sustainable Development in the Senate.
The Bill will be presented to President Evo Morales for signature, to
become law.
The launch of Stop Circus Suffering campaign in Bolivia uncovered a
disturbing insight behind the scenes of Bolivia's circus industry.
ADI's field officers worked undercover in the circuses and observed:
* Lions confined in a tiny cage on the back of a truck - the
adults left the cage for just ten minutes each day to perform for the
show. A lion cub remained permanently in the cage. During the show,
the animals were forced to jump through a ring of fire. Two of the
lionesses were pregnant, but continued to perform.
* Three brown bears were kept in three compartments of a
beastwagon, each measuring approx 2.5 x 3m. Their only exercise was the
walk to and from the ring for their short performance. The same bear act
had previously been with a circus in Peru. There was no safety barrier
between the audience and the three brown bears which were made to dance,
play dead and ride a bicycle.
* A mandrill kept in a small wire mesh cage - approx 1.5 x 1.5m.
The Bolivian public was horrified by the conditions the animals were
forced to endure. A year after the launch of the investigation, several
municipalities introduced animals circus bans in El Alto, La Paz, Santa
Cruz, Tiquipaya and Cochabamba. In May 2008, these bans faced a major
test when a Las Vegas, USA, based magic show featuring big cats, The
Fercos Brothers, planned to appear. ADI and local animal protection
groups worked together to uphold the bans and succeeded.
The recently approved Bill will be returned to the Chamber of Deputies
for the approval of any amendments made by the Senate. After that it
will be remitted to President Evo Morales to receive Presidential
assent. ADI will continue lobbying intensely to ensure that this piece
of legislation is passed.
ADI Chief Executive, Jan Creamer, "These moves in Bolivia sets an
essential precedent for South America, demonstrating that legislation to
put an end to circus suffering is possible. The Bolivian Congress has
set the highest positive example for South America, which the rest of
the world now needs to follow. We salute the efforts of all the local
organizations and Congresswoman Flores who along with ADI did not rest
until they made sure that the Senate approved the Bill."
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