The use of wild and domesticated animals in circus performances has declined dramatically due to public opposition and legislative bans, but significant numbers still perform globally under poor welfare conditions.
The decline of wild animals in circuses represents one of the more significant welfare victories of recent decades, driven by sustained public pressure, investigative journalism, and legislative response. However, circuses continue to operate with wild animals in many countries, and even in jurisdictions with bans, enforcement and monitoring capacity is limited. The core welfare problem for wild animals in circuses is irreducible: the combination of travelling stress, temporary accommodation, aversive training, and performance in noisy, unfamiliar environments causes chronic and acute harm to species with complex needs.