French lawmakers debate animal welfare bill that bans circus animals

French lawmakers are debating an animal welfare bill that would ban using wild animals in traveling circuses, and keeping dolphins and whales in captivity in marine parks. The bill passed the lower chamber vote and is now being examined at the Senate. Circus director William Kerwich tends to his animals at the Royal Circus in Senas, southern France.

As the president of the circus animal union, he is vocally against the proposed animal welfare bill as it would force him to end a large part of his performances which involve trained animals. After months without being able to put on his circus due to coronavirus restrictions, Kerwich sees this new bill as yet another devastating blow to his industry and the future wellbeing of his circus and its animals.

"For us it is a 'geno-cirque' we use this term because this is a genocide, the death of the entire circus society," he said.

"We think this law is very dangerous and we find ourselves on the limit," Kerwich added.

The wild animal ban would not apply to permanent shows or to zoos, but it would extend to outlawing the use of wild animals in television shows, nightclubs and private parties. The bill would also require new pet owners to obtain certificates guaranteeing they have the specific knowledge needed to care for their animals.

Kerwich said he hoped to find a compromise with lawmakers. "We would be willing to do even more because animal welfare has become such a big societal issue, but we cannot simply prohibit animals, this is death for us," he said. Most European countries have partially or totally banned the use of wild animals in circuses. In recent years, some major circuses in France announced they were voluntarily ending such acts. 

(Image Credits: AP)