Hawaii might become the first state to ban wild performing animals after a board at the Hawaii Department of Agriculture approved a proposed rules change that would define "dangerous wild animals" and prohibit the import of such animals "for exhibition or performance in public entertainment shows such as circuses, carnivals and state fairs." The animals on the list include big cats, primates, elephants, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, bears, hyenas and crocodiles. Exceptions to the rule will include commercial filming in television or movies and in government zoos, reports the Huffington Post.
The decision came within days of the release of a documentary, "Tyke Elephant Outlaw," about a circus elephant that had gone on a rampage killing her trainer while performing with Honolulu's Circus International on Aug. 20, 1994. The elephant had run amok on the streets of Honolulu before being gunned down by police.
"You could see blood and bullet holes," remembered Tyler Ralston, a witness, according to lebaker.hu.
Animal rights groups have been long advocating such a move. "We're talking about dangerous wild animals that are a threat to our communities public health and safety. We hope from here on out there will be no more dangerous public interactions performances involving lions, tigers, bears and other dangerous animals," said Inga Gibson, Director of the Humane Society, Hawaii, according to KITV.
"The Tyke incident proves that performing animal acts can go deathly wrong," Matt Jisa, a concerned resident, said to KITV.
