Uzbekistan to Implement Ban on Wild Animals in Circuses from 2025

By [Your Name], Alayaran.com Correspondent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan - In a move towards enhancing animal welfare, Uzbekistan has announced a forthcoming ban on the use of wild animals for entertainment in both state and traveling circuses, effective January 1, 2025, according to nova24.uz.

The legislation, aimed at curbing the exploitation of wildlife, will also make it illegal for private individuals to keep wild animals as pets or for any form of personal entertainment. This decision reflects a growing global trend towards more ethical treatment of animals.

Under the new regulations, wild animals can only be housed in facilities like zoos, terrariums, oceanariums, and serpentariums, which must be operated by legal entities and require explicit permission from the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change.

The ban is part of a broader initiative by the Uzbek government to align its policies with international standards on animal rights, focusing on the conservation and humane treatment of wildlife. This legislative change is expected to foster a more natural environment for these animals, moving away from the often stressful and unnatural conditions of circus life.

The move has been welcomed by animal rights organizations, who have long campaigned for an end to the use of wild animals in circuses due to concerns over their welfare and the ethical implications of such entertainment practices.

As Uzbekistan prepares for this significant shift, the focus now turns to how existing circus animals will be rehabilitated and rehomed, and how circuses will adapt their performances to remain appealing to audiences without relying on animal acts.