New regulation forbids elephant shows at the circus

A mahout stands next to an elephant as he waits for customers at Tad Sae Waterfall outside Luang Prabang, Laos. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

A new regulation on animal welfare determines that it is not allowed to show off elephants at the circus. “An important fundamental victory”, says veterinarian at NOAH, Siri Martinsen, despite the fact that elephants have been absent from the Norwegian circus for two years now, as a result of the NOAH campaign facing Norwegian authorities.

The aim of the new regulation is to safeguard the welfare and respect for animals that appear before an audience in the zoo, circus and temporary events, says Mattilsynet. The regulation includes rules for individuals and businesses that showcase animals and regulations about how animals should be kept and treated. It also includes the requirement to document the follow up, to make sure that the rules and regulations are being followed.

According to Martinsen, the regulation is a final victory for the welfare and rights of elephants and other exotic animals. NOAH has worked for such a regulation for over 25 years and it will continue to work for the other animals that appear in the circus who, according to Martinsen, ‘remain involuntary artists’.

The new regulation will apply from January 1st 2017.

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today