The below press release is by the Wildlife Aid Foundation.

Wildlife Aid Foundation hails “historic decision” by Parliament.

The Surrey-based Wildlife Aid Foundation has congratulated MPs on making “the right choice, the humane choice” by supporting a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses. Following a debate instigated by Conservative MP Mark Pritchard, the House of Commons overwhelmingly approved the introduction of regulations prohibiting the use of wild animals in circuses. There will now be massive pressure on the Government to ensure that the new regulations are brought into effect as soon as possible.

Simon Cowell MBE, Founder-Director of the Wildlife Aid Foundation, said: “Wildlife belong in the wild not in circuses. Most people already recognise this and I am delighted that the House of Commons has at last decided to put a stop to this anachronistic practice which is akin to dog-fighting or bear-baiting. These things shouldn’t happen in this day and age and while celebrating today’s historic decision I cannot help but express horror at the fact that it has taken so long to get to this stage. What shocks me most is that I understand that the Coalition Government actually tried to bully and cajole Mr Pritchard and other Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs into dropping their support for the ban. Why on earth the Government was so determined to stop Parliament debating the proposal for a ban on circus animals is a complete mystery to me. But after today’s victory for common sense I hope Ministers have learned their lesson. This was the right choice, the humane choice. No civilised society should permit the use of wild animals in circuses and I congratulate MPs on doing the right thing at last by voting to ban it.”

The Wildlife Aid Foundation, which is based in Leatherhead, promotes respect for nature and care and compassion for wild animals