Non-domesticated exotic animals in circuses

With the support of Wilde Dieren de Tent Uit (No Wild Animals in Circuses), in 2005 the city of Winschoten became the first municipality in the Netherlands to ban circuses with wild (i.e. non-domesticated) animals. Since the issue of animals in circuses has dominated the Dutch public debate on animal welfare.

Amsterdam and many other municipalities are now also working on a ban on circuses with wild animals. In the meantime, the directive for the well-being of animals in circuses, written by the Vereniging van Nederlandse Circus Ondernemingen (Association of Dutch Circuses), was assessed negatively by the advisory body of the Dutch Minister on animal welfare issues. Eventually the Minister had no other option than to leave the well-treaded path of self-regulation. She announced an investigation that should lead to new government policies guaranteeing the well-being of circus animals.

The study into the well-being of circus animals was finished in 2009. Although it revealed a lot of animal suffering, it has not yet led to the prohibition of wild animals in Dutch circuses. Wilde Dieren de Tent Uit (No Wild Animals in Circuses) continues to strive for a complete ban.