By Bob Katzen

The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey legislation that effective January 1, 2025, would ban elephants, bears, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs and other wild animals from being used in traveling circuses and other traveling shows in Massachusetts.

Violators would be fined between $500 and $10,000. The ban would not apply to zoos or to performances that take place at other non-mobile, permanent facilities if the covered animal is a resident animal at the same facility in which the performance takes place.

“We’re ecstatic that after so many years of advocating for the state to take a stance on the suffering of animals, as well as the public health and safety risks. The bill to prohibit elephants, primates, bears, giraffes and big cats in traveling animal acts passed both chambers in the Legislature unanimously and is on the governor’s desk,” read a press release from the MSPCA. “This is truly a testament to the perseverance of advocates and legislators to speak for those who cannot. We’re optimistic that the governor will sign the bill and put an end to these archaic acts in our state.”