Victory for animals 51 countries worldwide have banned wild animals in circuses: Hungary bans wild animals in circuses from 2027

 

Hungary decides on wild animal ban in circuses from 2027

Hungary is catching up with those European countries that put an end to animal suffering in the ring long ago

At a press conference in Budapest on Friday, government spokeswoman Éva Magyar announced the comprehensive ban.

The abuse used to make them stand on their hind legs is horrific. Electric shocks, whipping, stabbing with an elephant hook are used. I will spare you further details.  Forever banned next year in Hungary. 

From 1 January 2027, the government prohibits the acquisition, keeping and performance of certain wild animal species in circuses. The ban is not limited to the actual performances in the ring, but covers the acquisition, breeding, keeping, training as well as the exhibition of certain wild animal species and their hybrids. After the set date, these animals may no longer appear in circus shows.

A loophole is being closed

Until now, only a partial ban applied in Hungary. This legal situation meant that animals from countries with stricter regulations could be brought into Hungarian menageries. Hungary thus became a loophole for a practice that other states had already prohibited. The new ban closes this loophole.

The safety argument is not an abstract one. Time and again, big cats and elephants escape, causing injuries and deaths. In its 2016 resolution, the German Federal Council explicitly pointed to this danger: the provision of sufficiently large, escape-proof and species-appropriate enclosures, which would actually be necessary, conflicts with the need 

Added to this is the animal suffering itself. Wild animals in the circus eke out their existence in cramped cages, enclosures and transport wagons. On average, the animals are forced to change their performance location up to 50 times a year. Behavioural disorders such as constantly repeated movement patterns are an expression of the fact that the animals suffer under these conditions and cannot live out their natural behaviours. Veterinary care can hardly be ensured, because specialist vets for wild animals are not available in every location.

According to recognised experts, the training itself always relies on coercion and the principle of imposing one's own will on the weaker party. Elephant hook, stick, whip and electric shocker are among the usual instruments for forcing the animals into obedience.

The European context

With this decision, Hungary follows a clear European trend, which Magyar himself emphasised. More and more member states are restricting or banning outright the use of wild animals in the circus.

A general ban on wild animals in the circus already applies in Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Ireland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Luxembourg. In Greece, Malta and Cyprus there is even a ban on all animal species in circuses. France has decided on a gradual phase-out and will ban wild animals in the circus from 2028. England England had already prohibited the use of wild animals in travelling circuses, as had Scotland and Wales.

Hungary thus joins a growing group of countries treating the travelling circus with wild animals as a model of the past. Outside Europe too the development is unmistakable: numerous South and Central American states have issued bans on all animal species in the circus.

Germany and Switzerland lag behind

While the bans are spreading across Europe, the German-speaking countries are lagging behind. In Germany, repeated attempts at a wild animal ban, even though the Federal Council and the Conference of Agriculture Ministers have repeatedly spoken out in favour of one. According to a representative Forsa survey, 82 per cent of Germans hold the view that wild animals cannot be kept in a species-appropriate manner in the circus.

Switzerland, too, is among the laggards across Europe. Here, circuses are in principle allowed to take any species of animal they wish on tour. The authorities' hands are tied as long as the animal welfare legislation lacks an instrument that prohibits the keeping of unsuitable animal species. The Hungarian decision makes it clear once again how far Switzerland has drifted from the European trend.

Conclusion

The Hungarian decision is another building block in a Europe-wide movement putting an end to animal suffering in the circus ring. From 2027, the acquisition, breeding, keeping, training and performance of wild animals will be comprehensively prohibited, and an existing loophole will be closed. For the animals concerned, this is progress. For Switzerland and Germany, the decision remains an uncomfortable comparison: what is becoming a matter of course in more and more countries continues to be a long time coming here.

Further articles on this topic in our dossier Animal rights.

Liked to Death ( video)

 Exotic pets' are wild animals kept in captivity. The trade in these animals leads to crime, the smuggling of wild animals, widespread animal suffering, and a decline in biodiversity.

From African grey parrots to servals (wild big cats): wild animals are captured, bred, and sold as pets. This is often promoted through popular posts on social media. However, what looks innocent on your phone can contribute to a global illegal trade in wild animals.

Liking or liking wild animals as pets contributes to animal suffering. Stop doing this to prevent them from suffering or even dying.

I have no idea why people would 'like' photos such as these. The baby parrots are for sale

www.ifaw.org  International Fund for Animal Welfare

VIDEOS: Our biggest and most complex emergency mission to date 60 big cats and 2 bears rescued: A turning point for the animals of a former zoo in Argentina

In August 2025, we accepted the invitation by the government of Argentina and the management of the former Zoo Luján, in the province of Buenos Aires, to conduct an initial assessment of the animals living there. This was a first step in delivering on an important Memorandum of Understanding with the government, with the aim of securing legislative reforms that strengthen animal welfare standards for big cats across the country and prevent future welfare emergencies.  

The former zoo was closed down due to animal welfare concerns, and our assessment raised serious concerns over the safety, health and well-being of over 60 big cats and two bears still housed there. Therefore, on 1 September 2025, we agreed to take on full responsibility for the care of the animals, including the husbandry management, veterinary care, and associated running costs. 

By taking this step, we have embarked on one of our largest and most complex emergency missions to date. The situation is heartbreaking — as these animals have spent years without adequate care, space or enrichment. We have ensured that their basic needs are met by feeding them and keeping them safe while we plan for their long-term solutions. A small FOUR PAWS team also arrived on site in September to address their immediate needs and prepare for veterinary assessments — but this was just the beginning.

Over October and November, a large team of experts conducted thorough health checks of the big cats and bears, providing urgent medical care and treatments to the animals in desperate need. We are committed to finding species-appropriate solutions and to ensuring that each animal has a brighter, happier future. Your support will help us give them the second chance they deserve.

 

Historic milestone : The first dolphin sanctuary in Europe where dolphins, from captivity will not be performing in a chlorine pool anymore but swimming in the salty sea

 

The world view toward keeping dolphins in aquaria for entertainment purposes is shifting.

 Sao Paolo Dolphin Refuge is the first dolphin sanctuary in Europe. It is located in an enclosed stretch of sea near Tarante, in southern Italy. The sanctuary was founded by the Italian organization Jonian Dolphin Conservation, especially for dolphins that can no longer stay in a dolphinarium and cannot return to the wild. Often these animals need permanent care. This sanctuary was developed with a team of partners, including World Animal Protection and cetacean experts.

"This final permit is a historic milestone. For the first time in Europe, there will be a marine sanctuary where dolphins from captivity can live in a more natural environment, without interaction with tourists and with their welfare first," says Sanne Kuijpers, campaign manager Wild Animals. "These kinds of projects are an essential part of solving the serious welfare problems in captive cetaceans. No more concrete basins, but the rhythm of the sea. A place where they can be dolphins again, instead of entertainers. It brings us one step closer to a future where the orcas and dolphins that now live in captivity will be the last."

What is a marine dolphin sanctuary?

These are spacious enclosures in a fenced-off piece of sea, where dolphins that now live in captivity can live. The welfare of the dolphins is paramount and the dolphins can show more natural behavior. Not performing in a chlorine pool for a screaming audience, but swimming around and diving in the salty sea, where they belong. No new dolphins are bred for a life in captivity.

The dolphins are provided with a more natural and challenging habitat, while receiving the care and guidance they need after years of living in a confined environment.

The urgency of reception places

The popularity of dolphinariums is declining. Visitor numbers are falling, legislation is changing and parks are closing. In the past five years, several parks in France and Belgium, for example, have closed or are threatened with closure. This is a good development, because wild animals are not supposed to do shows in chlorine baths. But the dolphins that are born in captivity often cannot go back into the wild. The only option is often a move to another park, where breeding and performing and tricks continue. That is why World Animal Protection www.worldanimalprotection.nl has been working on the development of shelters for marine mammals for years.

In addition to the reception in Italy, reception places are being developed in Canada and Greece, among others. 

Worldwide more than 60 million donkeys and mules: The Donkey Sanctuary UK with 100 rescued donkeys and mules

 

https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/what-we-do/where-we-work/asia

Despite temperatures climbing steadily towards 30°C, it’s all systems go at our Town Barton Farm, which is nestled on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in Devon.

The farm is currently in the grips of a heatwave that has affe100 donkeys cted vast swathes of the country. However, with more than 100 donkeys and mules to care for, the team at Town Barton can’t afford to rest.

Instead, clever thinking and innovation has helped the grooms keep the long-eared residents of Town Barton cool and comfortable.

Groom Aby Colemon-Chalet says: “We have seen that some of our donkeys have really been struggling with the humidity, more so than others. If they were living in their native Africa, the heat would be a lot drier.”

Aside from the lethargy-inducing heat, flying pests have been a prevalent issue at Town Barton, especially for a pair of donkeys who react badly to their bites.

One of these donkeys, 25-year-old Peter, is prone to scabbing on his legs when he is bitten.

To help prevent his legs from becoming sore, the Town Barton team have adopted a novel trick that has seen success at Paccombe Farm in Devon and our European sanctuaries.

Peter now wears snazzy leggings on all four legs, which reduces the amount of fly bites. 

They also help the team localise treatment and prevention on any areas of his legs that are uncovered.

Beating the heat

With the pests handled, the team at Town Barton have explored fresh methods to tackle the main culprit affecting the farm’s donkeys – the heat.

It is a constant source of discomfort, and with this most recent drought threatening to span into next week, the grooms are experimenting with ways to keep their animals cool.

Aby says: “We have set up a shallow pool at Top Barn and fill it with water every day. When it becomes very hot, the mules will stand in the water to cool down.

We also use the pool for enrichment. We have infused the water with tea and herbs – and even the occasional ginger snap, which they love! Sometimes, we use just plain salt to flavour the water, as it helps with hydration while offering a different taste.”

Most recently, the team at Town Barton implemented an elevated sprinkler system in the yard. Though not sophisticated – the sprinklers are securely tied up high with baler twine – it has proved effective!

“At first, we placed the sprinklers on the floor and attached them to a hosepipe,” Aby adds. “We noticed that the donkeys seemed confused at why water was coming up from the floor, so they didn’t approach the sprinklers.

“One of our grooms then tied up the sprinklers to simulate rain which, as they live in England, the donkeys are more used to! With some food placed under the sprinklers, it didn’t take long for them to approach and enjoy the water.

“Us grooms have also stood under them when we get too hot, so we’re all enjoying them!”

The donkeys at Town Barton are at their happiest when the sun finally makes way for nighttime.  

Under the moon, they are given freedom to roam the paddocks and graze in the cool winds that blow across the farm. 

“While the donkeys have access to three barns that are connected in the day, it actually benefits them more to graze at night,” Aby says. “The heat is less, but there are also less sugars in the grass. 

“I do think these donkeys are lucky to be here when we face extreme weather like this. We have a really good team at Town Barton, and we are doing our best to ensure that they remain comfortable.  

“The donkeys are getting used to the heat as well. We have been grooming out their winter coats and have been given them plenty of ice licks. 

“What’s great is we can all be here for them. In January, when the storms hit, some of our staff couldn’t drive to the farm because of floods. 

“This time, everyone is on site to help make them comfortable.” 

End the donkey skin trade

At least 5.9 million donkeys are slaughtered for their skins every year.

The collagen from their skin produces ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine. China’s domestic donkey population has collapsed, so, the ejiao industry has shifted to a global trade network to source its donkey skin to continue meeting demand. With such intense demand, skin traders look for a supply at any cost.

From source to slaughter, the donkeys who get caught up in this trade suffer at every stage. Donkeys die in often unregulated, inhumane, and unsanitary conditions, and large numbers perish on their way to slaughterhouses. 

Communities who depend on their donkeys to help provide them with a livelihood wake up to find their donkeys stolen, slaughtered, and skinned during the night. Families are losing donkeys that mean so much to them. Lives and opportunities are destroyed.

The transportation of untreated skins and improper disposal of donkey carcasses risk triggering the spread of infectious diseases and damaging local ecosystems. The Donkey Sanctuary has evidence that criminals are exploiting the skin trade and are smuggling and selling illegal products alongside donkey skins.

https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/what-we-do/end-the-donkey-skin-trade