Mexico's ban on circus animal performances takes effect

But a new ban on animal performances at circuses does not necessarily mean the animals will be kept entirely out of view. Mexico's federal attorney general for environmental protection, Guillermo Haro Belchez, said yesterday that circus owners could choose to keep many of their animals for exhibition.

The law just prevents their use in acts and performances.

The Mexican capital and 16 states already had bans, but the new law expands that nationally.

Officials say they do not have an accurate count of how many wild animals are kept by circuses. The law required them to submit lists of their animals, but not all have complied.