Illinois Takes Action To Protect Big Cats, Bears, Primates And Elephants From Traveling Circuses
Wild animals forced to spend their lives performing in traveling circuses and roadside exhibitions could soon receive stronger protections in Illinois, as lawmakers push forward legislation aimed at ending the exploitation of some of the world’s most majestic and intelligent species on the planet for entertainment.
State Senator Linda Holmes is continuing efforts to crack down on the use of wild animals in traveling acts and circuses through new legislation that would expand protections for species subjected to confinement, stress, and public handling.
“In 2017, I passed legislation to ban the use of elephants in circuses and other traveling exhibitions that cannot provide the animals adequate living conditions, and we have added more and more species to the ban over the years,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “These animals spend most of their lives in cramped, filthy cages under severe and chronic stress. This cruelty must stop.”
House Bill 4255 would expand Illinois’ existing restrictions on traveling animal acts by specifically banning the use of cougars, jaguars, leopards, lions, tigers, non-human primates, bears, and all elephants, not just endangered elephant species. The bill would also apply to hybrids of those animals. Under the legislation, anyone knowingly using one of the covered animals in a traveling act would face a Class A misdemeanor.
According to Humane World for Animals, wild animals used in traveling exhibitions and circuses are frequently confined to cages and subjected to stressful conditions. Some exhibitors also reportedly charge the public extra fees to feed, pet, hold, play with, or ride the animals, despite increasing reports of dangerous incidents involving captive wildlife across the United States.
The organization also notes that animals used for public interactions are often separated from their mothers shortly after birth in order to be hand-raised for entertainment purposes, depriving them of essential maternal care during critical stages of development. Young animals with weakened immune systems are then exposed to stress, neglect, and mistreatment linked to constant public handling.
“Wild creatures aren’t on this planet for our handling and amusement,” Holmes stated. “These out-of-state exhibitors are solely to blame for this exploitation and harm. As county fair and festival season is coming, we hope Illinois families will no longer be exposed to this cruelty.”
House Bill 4255 passed through the Senate Criminal Law Committee on Wednesday and will now head to the full Senate for further consideration and a vote.
