Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act

Lions and tigers and bears...do not belong on the road! It is impossible for circuses and other traveling exhibitors to meet the very complex needs of wild and exotic animals. Recognizing the many problems these operations present, Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) has introduced H.R. 3359, the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act, to put an end to this misery.

Perhaps the most abusive trade in wild animals is that which serves no other purpose than human entertainment. Countless wild animals are removed from the wild for entertainment purposes every year. In far too many instances, an individual’s entire family is killed in order to obtain one juvenile. The kidnapped individuals are then subjected to (an often mercifully truncated) life of confinement, boredom, distress and abuse.

Taking animals out of their natural environments and forcing them to live lives as performers is cruel and demeaning. Whether bred in captivity or wild-caught, animals in entertainment are often subjected to stress, isolation, substandard care, and physical violence.

Captive wild animals who are no longer deemed suitable for entertainment are rarely offered a gracious "retirement." Instead they are either killed, sold to private owners to meet an unknown fate - which may include being butchered for meat, used for canned hunts, or treated as pets or ornamental accessories.

Powerful commercial interests are working against this legislation. Members of Congress must hear from their constituents who think it is time for society to stop subjecting animals to cruelty for our entertainment.

Find out more about the common abuses of wildlife in entertainment.