France’s environment minister has announced a gradual ban on using wild animals in travelling circuses, on keeping dolphins and killer whales in captivity in marine parks and on raising mink on fur farms.

Barbara Pompili, France’s minister of ecological transition,

said in a news conference Tuesday that bears, tigers, lions, elephants and

other wild animals won’t be allowed any more in travelling circuses “in the

coming years.”

In addition, starting immediately, France’s three marine parks won’t be able to bring in or breed dolphins and killer whales any more, she said.

Pompili said the measures will also bring an end to mink

farming, where animals are raised for their fur, within the next five years.

The ban does not apply to wild animals in other permanent shows

and in zoos.

Pompili did not set any precise date for the ban in travelling

circuses, saying the process should start “as soon as possible.” She promised

solutions will be found for each animal “on a case-by-case basis.”

The French government will implement an 8 million-euro (US$9.2 million) package to help people working in circuses and marine parks find other jobs.