Denmark has purchased the last remaining circus elephants to stop their exploitation and give them a proper retirement.

In line with other country’s efforts to stop animal abuse, the Danish government rescued Ramboline, Lara, Djunga, and Jenny, the last four elephants still being used for performances in shows at Circus Arena and Circus Trapez.

According to Food and Fisheries Minister Mogens Jensen, the government is also looking to implement a ban on the use of all wild animals in circuses later this year.

Animal Protection Denmark will tend to the animals until Knuthenborg Safari Park is able to spruce up some dedicated space for the elephants in its 440-hectare park.

In a heart-warming gesture, while rescuing Ramboline from Circus Trapez, the government also rescued a camel named Ali, so that the friends could remain together.

Confirming the action in a parliament meeting, after they heard of their attachment with each other, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said: “ It would be wrong to separate Ramboline and Ali. That’s why we actually got Ali.”

AP news reported that Benny Berdino, the manager at Circus Arena was “sad to say goodbye” to the mammals but was happy to know the elephants would be comfortable in their retirement.

Animal cruelty reforms worldwide

With the purchase of the elephants, Denmark joins forty countries including Greece, Peru, Mexico, El Salvador, Nederlands, Costa Rica, Iran, Slovenia, India, and Scotland that have already implemented sanctions to stop animal exploitation for commercial gains.

Back in May, the UK government passed a ban on wild animals being used for circus performances.

According to BBC News report, in August, at a global conference called the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES),  87 countries including the UK voted to outlaw the trade of selling wild African baby elephants to circuses and zoos.

In June, Germany’s Circus Roncalli replaced real animals with holographic animal images and used technology to develop shows to enthrall its audience.

New Jersey and Hawaii also became the first US states to ban the use of animals in circuses and travelling shows.

Last month, TripAdvisor announced it will no longer promote the US marine park SeaWorld that held sea animals captive or forcibly trained them for entertainment purposes.

• Read: UK government announces ban on wild animals in travelling circuses

What else can governments do to stop cruelty to animals? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

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