Call to the Swedish government to ban wild animals in circuses

The petition has accumulated more signatures than any other in Djurens Rätt’s 134-year history and now the organization hopes for a legislative amendment. Two heavy bodies - the Swedish Veterinary Association and the appointed expert group that in 2011 presented their proposals for a new Animal Protection Law - have already proposed a ban on elephants and sea lions in circuses because these animals' natural behavior can not be satisfied.

–  The government has a great prospect to gain support for a ban on wild animals in circuses. The issue has strong support among the public, in Parliament and from both Swedish and European experts. We can also see an international trend towards more and more countries banning wild animals in circuses, says Camilla Björkbom, president of Djurens Rätt.

Around twenty countries in the world have already banned wild animals in circuses, and some, such as Mexico, Malta and Greece have banned all animals in the circus.

The petition was received by the special adviser Maja Brännvall at the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation together with a letter.

More pictures from the submission are available at www.flickr.com/photos/djurensratt/albums/72157662420177903.