1. Circuses Lesson 3. Should all wild animals in circuses be banned?
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Circuses
Lesson 3. Should all wild animals in circuses be banned?
Learning oibjectives
To understand the arguments for and against banning wild animals in circuses.
To form an opinion.
To write a persuasive letter.

2. What do these countries have in common?
France
Germany
Answer: They have no type of ban, or commitment to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.

3. Are wild animals banned in circuses in the British Isles?
England
The government says it will be banned by Jan 2020
Republic of Ireland
Banned in Jan 2018
Wales
The Welsh government is planning a ban and is consulting on this decision
Scotland
(As of November 2018)
Banned in Dec 2017
Northern Ireland
No date set for a ban

4. Which EU countries have banned wild animals in circuses?
Why do you think some countries have not yet banned the use of wild animals in circuses?
(As of November 2018)
Not all countries have the same laws on using wild animals in circuses.
There are currently two circuses in England which are licensed to use a total of 19 wild animals. The government has stated its intention ban wild animals in travelling circuses in England by 2020.
However, in the European Union (EU) a wide range of wild animals are still being used to perform. These include lions, tigers, elephants, bears, giraffe, hippopotamus and rhinoceros.

5. The arguments for and against
With your partner, try and think of three reasons for and against the use of wild animals in circuses.
Sort the cards into two piles; for and against.
Now rank each pile from the strongest argument to the weakest.
Challenge: Who might argue for and against? Think about different groups and what their interests might be.

6. Carousel
You are now going to move around the classroom in a small group.
Each group has a different colour to write with.
You have five minutes at each station to write your thoughts about each statement.
Do you agree or disagree with the statement?
Why? Why not?

7. Statements
As the circus tours the country, many thousands of people will get to see wild animals. These people may never see them otherwise.
It is amazing to see all the tricks that the circus trainers can get the animals to do.
The animals do not enjoy doing tricks; they are forced to do them. If they don't do them right, they might be punished.
Circus animals only spend a few hours a day out of their cages. They can become depressed in confinement and they sometimes even harm themselves.
Animals are transported from location to location in cramped conditions. This can be very stressful for them.

8. “All countries should ban the use of wild animals in circuses”
Class vote
Class vote
“All countries should ban the use of wild animals in circuses”

9. Taking the issue further….
People often write persuasive letters to politicians when they want something to change.
Over the last few lessons you have looked at the issues and arguments for and against using wild animals in circuses.
Write a letter to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to persuade the government to ban the use of wild animals in circuses in England, following the ban in Scotland.

10. Taking the issue further….
Power of three
Emphasis
Rhetorical questions
Say again
Undermine opposing views
Anecdote
Direct address
Emotive language

11. What can you do?
Tell people about what you have learnt today. Share on Facebook, Share on twitter
Pledge not to visit a circus this year
Tell us if you see captive exploitation
Respect all animals, large or small
Join Wild Crew – Born Free’s kids club club
Fundraising - There are lots of ways for you to get involved and fundraise for Born Free. With our help, it’s so easy to Go Wild with Born Free and raise funds! Hold your own Go Wild event or activity – big or small -  and every single penny you raise will help Born Free care for animals.