Circuses in India were under scrutiny by officials for more than a year and these findings were ugly & unacceptable. In the wake of these developments the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) of the ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has deregistered all circuses in India that were found to keep animals under brutal conditions and torture them with iron hooks/pointed metal sticks to extract mindless entertainment.

Mr. D.N Singh, CZA member secretary pointed out that in India no circus is any longer recognised by the governing body as they were found to violate the laws with regard to basic standards of food, adequate shelter and veterinary care for animals that were used in tricks and performances. The recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009 laid down prerequisite conditions for zoo animals to be met by circuses. These included sufficient space for each animal, proper waste management, medical care and no exhibition of ailing animals.

In spite of a 2013 ban on the use of elephants, the animal was still found to be used in some circuses and the operators to save their face came up with a fake story stating that the elephants were used only for educational purposes. These elephants when rescued could not even move due to injuries they received during training and while being extensively chained. 

Also read 15 Animal Fundamental Rights that all Indians should respect.

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In 1998 a law was passed that banned the use of monkeys, bears, tigers, lions and panthers in Indian Circuses. In the year 2013 elephants were officially banned from circuses. The new law finally bans all wild animals from circuses and is a step forward in the fight against animal cruelty. 

Mr. D.N Singh also mentioned that how some circus owners made dishonest attempts of providing morphed photographs of wild animals being kept properly to escape the cancellation order. Even the famous Apollo and Great Golden Circus have been deregistered.

There is solid evidence in the form of videos that captures the misdemeanors of circus operators. Circus owners were given substantial amount of time (several years) to follow the basic minimum humane standards for housing animals but have failed miserably in doing so. 

The CZA team was supported by a group of animal activists and veterinarians in their investigation process of circuses. It was found out that animals were beaten by trainers; animals faced boredom, suffered loneliness and frustration from being confined in overcrowded/tiny cages and being chained for months while the circus performed in one city and then moved on to another town.

The chief wildlife wardens of states have also been directed by zoo authority to rehabilitate the zoo animals. The horror of Indian circuses (whipping horses, poking animals with iron hooks with protruding nails and chopping the wings of birds in the name of entertainment) has been exposed and there is no looking back.
Original story by - India Today