Iran says no to wild animal circuses!

No permits allowing the use of wildlife in circuses will be issued by Iran’s Department of Environment, effectively banning wild animal acts in all 31 states. The measure follows the successful ‘No to Circus!’ campaign launched by Animal Rights Watch in September 2014 and supported by ADI. The initiative secured bans in 21 states within just four months, and has led to the thirteen circuses ending their use of such acts.

ADI is proud to be supporting ARW and has been working with them for the past two years. We congratulate them on this remarkable achievement and thank the Iranian government for their progressive stance, as well as the 6,000 ADI supporters who called for action.

To ensure the prohibition remains in place in case of a change in government, ARW will continue its ‘No to Circus!’ campaign until the appropriate bylaws have been written and criteria approved by Parliament. The campaign now has the support of environment NGO networks in all 31 states and ARW will also be working to end domestic animal acts.

“On behalf of Animal Rights Watch-IRAN, I want to express my gratitude to the Animal Defenders International for all your supports and ideas shared with us.”
Shahraam Amirisharifi, International Relations Director.