Tracey joined the Animal Defenders International, campaigners and cross-party colleagues in delivering the 20,000-strong petition to Downing Street, which calls on the Prime Minister to take action on the use of wild animals in circuses.

Animal Defenders International and conservationist Stanley Johnson, social justice campaigner Peter Tatchell and a host of cross-party MPs – Angela Smith, Caroline Lucas, David Amess, Jim Dowd, Mark Pritchard, Norman Baker, Tracey Crouch – returned to Downing Street to deliver a 20,000-strong petition urging the Prime Minister to take action to ensure the law is passed before the General Election.

Only two circuses continue to tour with wild animals, with fewer than 20 animals. ADI revealed last week that Thomas Chipperfield, a relative of the notorious Mary Chipperfield who was prosecuted for animal cruelty following an ADI investigation and who presents the only lion and tiger circus act in Britain, will not be touring with a circus this year. The act featured in Peter Jolly’s Circus last year, attracting widespread criticism and local protests.

Tracey said:

“Wild animals are complex creatures with a range of needs which a travelling circus simply cannot meet, even with the best will in the world. That’s why I’m proud to join Animal Defenders today here at 10 Downing Street to call for the wild animal ban to be passed before the election”

ADI and other animal organisations have urged the Prime Minister to support the new bill and ensure it is given time to pass. ADI is also urging members of the public to ask their MP to support the bill.

ADI leads the campaign to stop the suffering of circus animals in Britain and around the world. 27 countries worldwide have placed national restrictions on the use of animals in circuses, and over 200 local authorities in Britain have bans on the use of animals in circuses in place.  An ADI team is currently in Peru enforcing measures to end the use of wild animals in circuses there and has already removed 12 lions from circuses. Dame Judi Dench and Ricky Gervais join a long list of ADI celebrity supporters who want to see a ban on wild animal acts in Britain, including Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Roger Moore, Brian May, Moby, Imelda Staunton, Eddie Izzard, Twiggy, Annette Crosbie and Brian Blessed.

For more information about this campaign please click here.