With effect from 1 January 2002, the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) will not allow travelling circuses to bring into Singapore, wild animals such as tigers, lions, and elephants, to perform in their shows.
2. AVA is initiating this restriction on travelling circuses in the interest of public safety and animal welfare. AVA has been monitoring the incidences of mishaps and abuse associated with performing wild animal in travelling circuses in recent years. The number of such accidents has been increasing. In some cases, the accidents have resulted in serious injuries and death to both trainers and the public. Concern over the welfare of the performing wild animals in travelling circuses is also on the rise. Reports of abuse and mistreatment of these animals by circus owners and trainers have become more regular. The prolonged periods spent by these wild animals in the cages/containers used to transport and hold them may compromise their welfare. While adequate for travelling and short-term accommodation, these cages/containers are unsuitable as permanent housing for wild animals.
3. AVA is giving a one-year notice to effect the ban on travelling circuses using wild animals. This is to provide sufficient time for circuses to adjust to the new restriction and to minimise disruptions to show commitments and arrangements that have already been made.
Issued By
The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority Of Singapore
Ministry Of National Development
29 Dec 2000
Q1. How dangerous are performing wild animal acts?
In recent years, there have been increasing numbers of documented reports of circus trainers and audience being injured or killed by wild circus animals such as tigers, lions, and elephants. Notwithstanding the training that these wild animals have undergone, they often remain potentially unpredictable and dangerous. Moreover, accidents involving such animals are usually serious and fatal. These mishaps reflect the dangers and risks associated with performing wild animals in travelling circuses.
Q2. How do travelling circuses affect the welfare of performing wild animals?
Firstly, as these performing wild animals are on the road most of the time, they spend prolonged periods in cages and containers. While adequate for travelling and short-term accommodation, these cages/containers are unsuitable as permanent housing for wild animals. Secondly, abuse and mistreatment of performing animals by circuses have been reported regularly. The training methods used have not been endorsed by any animal welfare organisation.
Q3. What about travelling circuses that come to Singapore before the ban is implemented on 1 Jan 2002? Would they not pose a risk to public safety and animal welfare?
During the interim period, AVA will require any travelling circus that wishes to bring in performing wild animals to comply with stricter safety and animal welfare conditions. It will need to provide AVA with comprehensive measures for accommodation, feeding, exercise, veterinary care and security for their performing wild animals demonstrating that animal welfare and public safety aspects will not be compromised. The circus will also be subject to close audit and monitoring while in Singapore.
Q4. What other countries have banned the use of wild animals in circus acts?
Countries that have banned the use of wild animals in circuses include Denmark, Finland, Sweden, India, Israel, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) of Australia. However, Denmark made provisions to allow a special council of veterinarians to approve the use of certain kinds of wild animals for circus performances.
UK is considering the recommendation made by a specially commissioned group to ban the use of animal in circuses.
USA is developing a policy on the handing of potentially dangerous animals in public contact venues like circuses.
Q5. What types of animal performances will be affected by the ban?
The ban will only apply to performances using wild animals in travelling circuses.
Performances involving the use of domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, horses, sheep, goat, pigs and birds will not be affected by the ban. This is because these animals are much less a danger to the public and do not have to be confined the way wild animals are. They are also often treated as pets and have close interaction with their owners and handlers.
Non-circus acts involving the use of wild animals will be allowed on a case-by-case basis provided that the animals are treated well and pose little or no danger to the public.
The ban does not apply to animal performances at the Singapore
Zoological Gardens and the Jurong Birdpark as the performing animals in these places need not travel and are trained by a reward system. In addition, these animals are also housed in an environment that is designed to be as close to their natural habitat as possible.
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