VOA慢速英语--法国禁止野生动物进入马戏团

France says it plans to ban the use of wild animals in traveling circuses as part of new rules set to take effect "in coming years."

The new measures will also ban the keeping of dolphins and killer¹ whales in captivity² and make it unlawful for minks³ to be farmed for fur.

France's Environment Minister, Barbara Pompili, announced the changes earlier this week. She said that bears, tigers, lions, elephants and other wild animals would not be permitted to appear in traveling circuses in future years.

Pompili told reporters the measures would affect about 80 circuses that kept around 230 animals. The ban does not cover wild animals in other permanent shows or zoos.

Pompili did not set an exact date for the circus ban. But she said the process should start "as soon as possible." The bans are expected to take effect "gradually" over several years. "Putting a date on it does not solve all the problems," she said.

Pompili promised that solutions for each animal would be found "on a case-by-case basis." She noted⁵ the decision was made in an effort to protect animal welfare. "It is time to open a new era in our relationship with these animals," she said.

Pompili said the measures will also bring an end to mink⁴ farming - where animals are raised for their fur - within the next five years.

France, which has three public dolphin aquariums⁶, will also not permit any new openings. It will also seek to close existing ones within seven to 10 years.

The government will provide financial assistance of $9.4 million to help animal shows create new operating models.

About 20 European countries have already banned or limited the presence of wild animals in circuses. In France, many cities already do not permit circuses with wild animal shows.

The animal rights group PETA called the decision a "historic victory."

"Champagne⁸ bottles are being uncorked here. Thank you to all those who have helped bring this about," the group said.

Animal charity 30 Million Friends also welcomed the ban. It wrote on Twitter that the government had heard "the public's demands for the well-being¹⁰ of wild animals." The group said it wanted the measures to be pushed through as quickly as possible.

William Kerwich is head of a group representing animal shows. He told French television that he disagrees with the bans. He said the measures were "a knife in the back" of an industry already hurting from coronavirus crowd limits.

"It will put people out of work. And who will take care of the animals, they are born in captivity, they cannot be set free in the wild," he said on BFM television.

The animal rights group bearing the name of activist¹¹ Brigitte Bardot said in a statement it would welcome all circus animals "who are currently kept captive and exploited in terrible circumstances."

Words in This Story

circus – n. a show involving a group of traveling performers and animals doing tricks for an audience

gradually – adv. happening slowly over time

era – n. a period of time during which particular events or progress in development are common

aquarium⁷ – n. a building people can visit to see water animals and plants

uncork – v. open a bottle by pulling out its cork⁹

charity – n. organization whose purpose is to give money or food or provide help in other ways

exploit – v. to use (someone or something) in a way that helps you unfairly

circumstance – n. a fact or event that makes a situation the way it is

1 killer   

n.杀人者，杀人犯，杀手，屠杀者

参考例句：

• Heart attacks have become Britain's No.1 killer disease.心脏病已成为英国的头号致命疾病。
• The bulk of the evidence points to him as her killer.大量证据证明是他杀死她的。

2 captivity   

n.囚禁；被俘；束缚

参考例句：

• A zoo is a place where live animals are kept in captivity for the public to see.动物园是圈养动物以供公众观看的场所。
• He was held in captivity for three years.他被囚禁叁年。

3 minks   

n.水貂( mink的名词复数 )；水貂皮

参考例句：

• Fuck like minks, forget the rug rats, and live happily ever after. 我们象水貂一样作爱，忘掉小水貂吧，然后一起幸福生活。 来自互联网
• They fuck like minks, raise rug rats, and live happily ever after. 他们象水貂一样做爱，再养一堆小水貂，然后一起幸福的生活。 来自互联网

4 mink   

n.貂，貂皮

参考例句：

• She was wearing a blue dress and a mink coat.她穿着一身蓝色的套装和一件貂皮大衣。
• He started a mink ranch and made a fortune in five years. 他开了个水貂养殖场，五年之内就赚了不少钱。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

6 aquariums   

n.养鱼缸，水族馆( aquarium的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Biotope aquariums represent the natural environments of ornamental fish. 生态鱼缸表现出观赏鱼的自然生活环境。 来自互联网
• There are aquariums in many cities in the world. 世界上好多城市有水族馆。 来自互联网

7 aquarium   

n.水族馆，养鱼池，玻璃缸

参考例句：

• The first time I saw seals was in an aquarium.我第一次看见海豹是在水族馆里。
• I'm going to the aquarium with my parents this Sunday.这个星期天，我要和父母一起到水族馆去。

8 champagne   

n.香槟酒；微黄色

参考例句：

• There were two glasses of champagne on the tray.托盘里有两杯香槟酒。
• They sat there swilling champagne.他们坐在那里大喝香槟酒。

9 cork   

n.软木，软木塞

参考例句：

• We heard the pop of a cork.我们听见瓶塞砰的一声打开。
• Cork is a very buoyant material.软木是极易浮起的材料。

10 well-being   

n.安康，安乐，幸福

参考例句：

• He always has the well-being of the masses at heart.他总是把群众的疾苦挂在心上。
• My concern for their well-being was misunderstood as interference.我关心他们的幸福，却被误解为多管闲事。

11 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。