France says it plans to ban the use of wild animals in traveling circuses as part of new rules set to take effect “in coming years.” The new measures will also ban the keeping of dolphins and killer whales in captivity and make it unlawful for minks to be farmed for fur. France’s Environment Minister, Barbara Pompili, announced the changes earlier this week. She said that bears, tigers, lions, elephants, and other wild animals would not be permitted to appear in traveling circuses in future years. Pompili told reporters the measures would affect about 80 circuses that kept around 230 animals. The ban does not cover wild animals in other permanent shows or zoos.
