VICTORY! Hawaii To Become First U.S. State To Ban Wild Performing Animals
Hawaii is set to become the first U.S. state to ban the use of bears, elephants, big cats, and other exotic wild animals for entertainment purposes.
Earlier this week, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture board unanimously approved a set of proposed rules change that would prohibit the import of exotic wild animals “for exhibition or performance.” This means that Hawaii is set to become the first U.S. state to ban the use of bears, elephants, big cats, and other exotic wild animals for entertainment purposes.
This breaking news is being celebrated by animal rights activists around the globe.
Exceptions to the new rule would be commercial filming for television or movies and within government zoos. Reports World Animal News, the proposal included a ban on elephants, big cats, primates, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, and bears, and hyenas.
Stated Inga Gibson, Hawaii’s senior state director for the Humane Society:
“We’re hoping of course that Hawaii will set an example for other states to take the next step.”
At present, 50 municipalities in 22 U.S. states and several countries have implemented partial or full bans on animals used as entertainment. If this proposal goes through, Hawaii will come the first state to implement the ban.