Introduction
The use of animals in circuses has come under increasing criticism around the world. In some countries, including Austria, Israel and Singapore, governments have banned the use of wild animals in performances, and there are active calls for similar bans in many other countries.
Since 1957, the Captive Animals’ Protection Society (CAPS) has campaigned for an end to the use of animals in circuses.
Our investigations have taken us to several countries to examine how animal circuses operate, and for several years we have investigated animal circuses in the Republic of Ireland, often at the specific request of concerned residents and tourists.
This report discusses the current situation concerning animal circuses in the Republic of Ireland, mostly based on investigations by CAPS in 2006.
The full report ‘An Investigation into Animals Circuses in Ireland in 2006’, as well as a video from the investigation, is available on DVD from CAPS or can be downloaded from our website.
Conditions for animals in circuses can vary greatly from site to site. Unless otherwise stated, comments in this report relate to conditions at the time of the visits by CAPS investigators and the vet. Conditions could be better - or worse - at other venues.
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