All maps › Wild animals in circuses › United Kingdom

Are wild animals in circuses illegal in the United Kingdom?

Partly. Wild animals in circuses are restricted in the United Kingdom. England, Scotland and Wales ban them; Northern Ireland does not.

Scotland Act 2018 (in force 28 May 2018), England Act 2019 (in force 20 Jan 2020), Wales Act 2020 ban wild animals in travelling circuses; Northern Ireland has no such law (Born Free). Not UK-wide, so amber.

Source: UK acts 2018-2020

• The United Kingdom is one of 16 countries where wild animals in circuses are banned, and 23 more restrict them.
• Its neighbours: banned in 1 of 1 (Ireland).
• In Europe: banned in 11 of 39 countries.

Watch on YouTube

Other countries that ban wild animals in circuses

LatviaSloveniaAustriaLuxembourgCroatiaIrelandSerbiaCyprusMaltaBosnia & HerzegovinaPortugalGreeceColombiaBoliviaAll 16 on the map ›

What else is banned in the United Kingdom