Washington state has taken a significant step toward animal welfare by banning the use of elephants, wild cats, bears, and nonhuman primates in circuses and traveling shows.
This landmark legislation, championed by Senator Marko Liias (D), passed with bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Bob Ferguson.
With this move, Washington becomes the twelfth state in the United States to enact restrictions on using wild animals for entertainment purposes in traveling exhibits and shows.
The legislation comes at a crucial time, as evidenced by two elderly elephants currently involved in a performance by Jordan World Circus at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Kennewick.
Both elephants, known as Viola and Isa, are believed to be in their 50s and suffer from significant joint and mobility issues.
They serve as poignant reminders of the suffering that many animals endure in circuses.
Viola, in particular, has attempted to escape her captivity on at least three occasions, most recently last year in Butte, Montana, where she ran through busy traffic, endangering both herself and the public.
The two elephants are owned by Carson & Barnes Circus, which has a history of animal welfare violations.
Captured as babies from their natural habitats in Asia, Viola and Isa have lived decades of confinement, chaining, and coerced performances.
The new law will have immediate ramifications for these elephants and other animals transported by traveling shows such as Jordan World Circus and Culpepper & Merriweather Circus.
It signifies a decrease in state tolerance for the pain and suffering that accompany these business operations.
Moreover, it provides an opportunity for these companies to adopt more humane entertainment models, as demonstrated by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and UniverSoul Circus, both of which have successfully transitioned away from using wild animals.
Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, for instance, continues to travel with big cats across the nation, participating in over 200 stops each year.
They have recently toured Washington with two elderly tigers named Solomon and Delilah and two younger lions, Wendell and Nelson.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture previously suspended the company’s license due to a failure to adhere to animal welfare standards after Solomon and Delilah, who are biological siblings, were allowed to breed during the offseason.
After Delilah gave birth while on tour, two of the inbred cubs died shortly thereafter, and the lone survivor was confiscated due to malnourishment and injuries.
Under Washington’s new legislation, businesses such as Culpepper & Merriweather will have to make a choice: either evolve to a more ethical model of entertainment or exclude Washington from their itineraries altogether.
The momentum for animal welfare continues to grow, as in the last year alone, three states including Maryland, Massachusetts, and Washington have enacted similar legislation.
While these victories may take years, even decades to achieve—as seen in Massachusetts—the growing trend demonstrates increasing public support for animal rights.
Additionally, the New York Senate is currently considering a bill to ban the use of nonhuman primates, bears, wild cats, kangaroos, and wallabies in entertainment, supplementing its existing prohibition on elephants.
Currently, nearly 200 localities across the country have also taken steps to restrict wildlife acts, and animal rights advocates are working tirelessly to expand this number.
image source from：https://www.humaneworld.org/en/blog/washington-restricts-wild-animals-circuses-traveling-shows
