Use of animals in entertainment - an outline of the problem

Abstract

The article outlines issues related to the use of animals in entertainment, specifically addressing circuses. So far, measures banning or restricting the use of animals in circuses have already been adopted in about 1/5 of the world's countries, and similar legislation is under discussion in many other countries. Poland has a nationwide ban on the use of wild-born animals in circuses, but there are still about a dozen circuses that use animals in their performances. The total number of animals in circuses is estimated at around 250 specimens. In recent years, Polish society's attitudes toward the use and exploitation of animals have undergone dynamic changes. The purpose of the work was to provide examples of the use of animals in entertainment, with a particular focus on circuses, and to highlight the main associated problems. By attempting to estimate the magnitude of the phenomenon with regard to the country and drawing attention to the controversies surrounding the topic presented, the authors hope that the outlook presented will become a contribution to a broader discussion, also within science.