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Tengrinews.kz - From January 1, 2025, Uzbekistan will ban the use of certain wild animals in circuses.
A decree published in the country’s National Database of Legislation outlines a list of wild animals that individuals are prohibited from keeping in "semi-free conditions, artificially created habitats or captivity."
According to local media, the decree also specifies rules for legal entities regarding the handling of these wild animals.
As detailed by the "UzA" Telegram channel, starting January 1, 2025, Uzbekistan will prohibit the use of wild animals in performances by state and traveling circuses, as well as keeping them in captivity.
"These listed wild animals may only be kept in zoos and reserves (such as terrariums, aquariums, serpentaria, etc.) established by legal entities under the regulations set by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change," the message reads.
The list of animals and insects includes:
- Arthropods: giant centipedes, various ant species, venomous scorpions, and several types of spiders, including black widows and recluse spiders.
- Reptiles: specific snake species, including vipers, boomslangs, certain colubrids, and all asp species.
- Birds: all falcon and owl species.
- Mammals: tigers, lions, leopards, all types of wild cats, cheetahs, jaguars, pumas, snow leopards, wolves, foxes, jackals, honey badgers, wolverines, and all bear species.
It’s worth noting that, unlike the list of banned animals in Uzbekistan, dolphins are not included, meaning their use in circuses remains unrestricted.
The decree allows citizens and circuses that currently own listed wild animals to transfer them to zoos or wildlife reserves by agreement—either for a fee or free of charge. Animals native to Uzbekistan may also be released back into the wild.
The decree mandates that all listed animals be transferred to zoos and reserves by January 1, 2026.
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