Following a nine month-long investigation authorized by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) of circuses across the nation, the AWBI has decided to stop registration of elephants for performances under the Performing Animals Rules in view of the cruelty and abuse suffered by the animals. Indian representative of OIPA Naresh Kadyan demands not to renew the registration of existed performing elephants, he further asked AWBI and PETA to lodge criminal case against the tainted circuses after rescuing all abused animals.

The investigation was conducted by a team including representatives from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and an NGO, Animal Rahat.

In addition to its support for a ban on the use of animals in circuses, the AWBI has also decided to put a stop on the use of injured and aged animals at such performances. It added that legal notices will be served to circuses that use sick, injured and unregistered animals.

PETA India's findings will be forwarded to the Central Zoo Authority for further action.

"The findings from our investigations reveal that cruelty to animals is inherent in the circus business, a conclusion that has already led many countries to ban the use of all animals in circuses," said Dr Manilal Valliyate, director of veterinary affairs at PETA. The investigation was conducted from November 2012 to July 2013. Findings from the probe include documentation of apparent violations of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA), 1960, Performing Animals Rules and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

In past OIPA, Indian People for Animals team, raised many issues about animal abuse by Jumbo circuses in Panipat (Haryana) along with the Amar Circus in Nagpur (Maharashtra), AWBI and CZA team inspected the circuses but animals are being still with the circuses, not yet rescued and rehabilitated.
Programme Director of OIPA Sukanya Kadyan along with Abhishek Kadyan, Media Adviser campaigning for rescue and rehabilitation of all captive elephants, rules and regulations for camel transportation along with the breeding rules for horses