Senate Bars Use of Wild Animals in Traveling Shows in Mexico Latin American Herald Tribune
go to original December 11, 2014

MEXICO CITY – Mexico’s Senate has passed legislation that bars the use of wild animals such as primates and big cats in circuses and also prohibits traveling shows featuring marine mammals.

The Senate approved by a vote of 93-1 a series of changes to the General Law on Wildlife and the General Law on Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection to outlaw the use of wild animals in circuses.

Those amendments, which still must be given the green light by the Chamber of Deputies, prohibit the use of lions, elephants, primates and other species in circuses.

Violators face fines ranging from between 50 and 50,000 minimum monthly salaries.

The legislation states that primates and big cats – the species most used in circuses – require special care and that frequently their wellbeing is jeopardized in conditions of confinement.

Separately, by a vote of 81-6 with four abstentions, the Senate changed two articles of the General Law on Wildlife to prohibit traveling marine shows that use seals, dolphins, orcas and other species.

In June, Mexico City joined the Mexican states of Colima, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos and Queretaro in banning the use of animals in circuses.

The states of Aguascalientes, Chihuahua, Oaxaca, Puebla, Tamaulipas and Quintana Roo are considering similar measures.

See the original at Latin American Herald Tribune

Photo: BOYCOTTZOO

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