France’s Moulin Rouge Bans Animal Performances

THINK

May 10

The iconic cabaret had long used live snakes as part of a controversial underwater segment, but has now modified the act to reflect modern attitudes towards using animals in performances.

Recent photo of Noor Jehan at Karachi Zoo. Credit: FOUR PAWS

The world-famous Moulin Rouge in France will no longer use live snakes in part of its cabaret performance after animal rights groups had criticized the venue for harming animals.

In a segment of the show, non-aquatic snakes are kept in a transparent water tank while a woman performs acrobatics around the animals.

The snakes used in the performances have both their mouth and anus bound by tape, to prevent them from biting and from defecating in the water.

Animal rights advocates had long criticized the iconic Paris venue’s use of snakes, and accused Moulin Rouge of animal cruelty, pointing out that the snakes could be seen trying to keep their heads above the water.

Now, the cabaret has finally announced “the permanent end of the snakes number as of today, May 9”, French national news outlet France24 reports.

Originally founded in 1889, the cabaret’s ban on live snakes represents a new animal-free era for Moulin Rouge and reflects modern concerns on animal welfare.

"It's a historic move that goes in the right direction for ending animal captivity in France", Amandine Sanvisens of the Paris Animaux Zoopolis (PAZ) advocacy group, said in a statement. PAZ launched a campaign against the cabaret's use of snakes last year, and held several protests outside the venue.

Attitudes Are Changing Towards Keeping Animals in Captivity

Awareness around the ethics of keeping animals in captivity has increased in recent years, particularly when captive animals are used in performances. The likes of orca shows, roadside zoos, and animal circuses have faced intense criticism from both animal welfare campaigners and the public, and laws have been introduced in some countries to outlaw such practises.

Animals including elephants, tigers, and snakes are still forced to perform in shows around the world. Credit: Amy Jones/Moving Animals

Changing attitudes and new welfare laws have led to a wave of change for captive animals. The iconic Ringling Bros Circus announced it would be making its comeback this year - but for the first time in its 146 year-run will not feature any animals and will focus on human feats instead.

The worldwide coverage of the Netflix hit Tiger King, ultimately led to many of its stars facing legal issues and the surrender of hundreds of captive animals. The momentum of the Tiger King phenomenon would go on to inspire the successful passing of the Big Cat Safety Act late last year, which prohibits the private ownership of big cats like tigers and lions, as well as restricting public contact with them such as cub handling.

And in Canada, the so-called “Free Willy” bill passed back in 2019, and outlawed the trade, possession, capture and breeding of whales, dolphins, and porpoises. The bill effectively ended the practise of using cetaceans for entertainment or keeping them in captivity. Now, Canadian animal campaigners are also aiming to pass the “Jane Goodall Act”, which would offer sweeping reforms to zoos in the country, including the phasing out of keeping elephants in captivity. Several prominent zoos in Canada have already backed the new bill.

The majority of people agree that exploiting animals for entertainment is wrong. Join Species Unite in urging Congress to finally pass the Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act - sign the petition here.

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