Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Bill

# Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Bill Travelling circuses that include wild animals raise significant animal welfare concerns. Animals kept in temporary enclosures and transported frequently experience stress, inadequate living conditions, and limited opportunity for natural behaviour. The Scottish Government introduced this bill to address public concern about the use of wild animals in circus performances, recognising that confining wild animals to mobile facilities fundamentally conflicts with their wellbeing needs and Scotland's commitment to high animal welfare standards. The bill introduces a straightforward prohibition: it bans the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in Scotland. The legislation defines what constitutes a wild animal and a travelling circus, establishing clear legal boundaries for enforcement. The bill creates offences for breaching the ban, with penalties to deter violations. This approach aligns Scotland with other countries and regions that have implemented similar bans, removing wild animals from circus entertainment entirely rather than attempting to regulate their conditions. The bill represents a shift away from licensing and welfare conditions toward an outright ban, reflecting the view that animal welfare cannot be adequately protected in a circus environment.

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