The use of wild animals in circuses has been banned or severely restricted across many countries based on welfare evidence, with the remaining debate focused on companion animals and the appropriate limits of animal entertainment.
The welfare case against wild animals in circuses is well-established through consistent documentation of inadequate housing, forced training using aversive methods, and high stereotypic behavior rates in touring animals. Wild species with large natural home ranges experience particular hardship in transport and limited touring accommodation. The distinction between wild and domestic animals in entertainment is pragmatically important - horses and dogs trained with positive reinforcement methods for performance may have acceptable welfare, while wild animals forced into unnatural behaviors through aversive training face clear welfare harm regardless of setting.