Dutch circuses have drawn up their own regulations to govern the use of performing animals in an effort to head off criticism from animal rights campaigners. The rules cover the size of cages, type of food and amount of effort in the ring for various types of animals.

The rules also state that only animals bred in captivity can be used in circuses, with the exception of elephants. And animals with high levels of consciouness, such as apes, should not be put in the ring all because it can be mentally-damaging, the new rules say
The organisation hopes the rules will appease the growing criticism from action groups and councils about the use of animals in circuses.