Tashkent (TDI): In a significant step for animal welfare, Uzbekistan will implement a ban on the use of wild animals in circus performances from January 1, 2025.
This decision, announced through the state-run UzA Telegram channel, applies to both stationary and traveling circuses across the country, restricting not only performances but also the private ownership of wild animals.
Under the new law, wild animals may only be kept in licensed facilities, including zoos, terrariums, and oceanariums, managed by authorized legal entities and regulated by the Ministry of Ecology.
A list of animals that can no longer be used in performances has also been published, reinforcing Uzbekistan’s stance on the issue.
Uzbekistan joins a growing list of countries with legislation prohibiting the use of wild animals in entertainment venues.
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Similar bans have been enacted across Europe, including in Cyprus, Malta, Hungary, and Finland, and extend to numerous regions worldwide, such as parts of the United States, Canada, China, India, Australia, and Latin America.
Elsewhere in Central Asia, Kazakhstan will introduce restrictions on petting zoos and dolphinariums in January 2025.
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In Russia, a bill proposing similar measures for animal circuses was deliberated in 2023, though a decision is still pending.
Animal rights activists have welcomed Uzbekistan’s decision, describing it as a crucial move towards safeguarding wildlife from exploitation in the entertainment industry.
