Denmark moves towards banning animals in circuses

The Danish government has announced that it will spend $1.6 million to buy an elephant circus, giving the four elephants in it a rest and release. The circus is known to be the only remaining elephant circus in the country, and the move comes as the Danish government plans to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.

The ban on wild animals appearing in circuses is expected to come into effect later this year, according to the Minister of Fisheries and Food, Mogens Jensen.

The four rescued elephants have been named Ramboline, Lara, Djunga and Jenny. The ministry has not yet made plans for where the elephants will go when the circus closes, but after the news appeared in the press, several private sanctuaries have applied to take them in.

"The elephants will be sent to facilities that can provide them with the happiest food and shelter," the Danish government announced via the Jakarta Post.

More than 40 countries have announced restrictions or bans on the use of wild animals in circuses.

Earlier this year, the UK’s previous Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, announced a new Bill to ban the use of wild animals in circuses across the UK. The UK government believes that these inhumane circuses need to be eradicated from modern society.

When the new law was announced in February 2018, 94.5% of citizens supported it. The UK's move is seen as following Scotland, which banned circus animals in 2017.

"The public can still watch circuses but it's good to know that wild animals will no longer be oppressed while performing," said Animal Welfare Minister David Rutley.

While the bans currently only apply to wild animals, other domestic animals such as horses, donkeys and dogs will be regularly checked by officials.

Denmark’s plan to abolish elephant circuses also shows that the world is paying more attention to animals and is reaping many admirable results. Animals should be protected, not used for human entertainment.

Lan Oanh