AS MPs return to their Westminster office after summer recess, why not write to yours, urging the Government to ban the use of wild animals in circuses?

Animals, including lions, tigers, an elephant, camels and zebras are still languishing in circuses and last year video footage revealed three elephants being viciously beaten at a UK circus.

Confinement, brutal training and constant transportation — these are the facts of life for animals in a circus.

Earlier this year, a Defra consultation found that 94.5 per cent of the public who responded supported a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses.

The Government is currently deciding on the future for these animals.

A recent scientific study concluded that circuses fail to provide some of the most basic welfare needs of wild animals, like space and social groups.

The authors found there was no evidence to suggest that the needs of wild animals could be met in circuses, as "neither natural environment nor much natural behaviour can be recreated".

Please write to your MP and urge the Government to introduce a ban. More information is available on our website www.captiveanimals.org or by phoning us on 0845 330 3911.

Fiona Peacock

Campaigns Assistant

The Captive Animals' Protection Society, PO Box 4186

Manchester, M60 3ZA

0845 330 3911

www.captiveanimals.org