The term “exhibit” is defined as “exhibit at any entertainment to which the public are admitted, whether on payment of money or otherwise…”and to “train” means “train for the purpose of any such exhibition”.

This provision, applies to circuses and also to other situations, such as cabarets and film making and plays, that involve animal performances and there is no exemption for excluding zoos. The definitions in the Act also appear to cover some of the training and performance with animals that takes place in zoos. However, it might be expected that training that was carried out to assist in the routine management of an animal (and not intended as preparation of a performance) would not involve registration.

A person who exhibits or trains a performing animal must be registered; eg circuses, cabarets, film making etc. Performing circuses are not subject to ZLA (S.1(2); static/winter quarters may be subject to ZLA (open to the public) or to DWA.

CITES (Convention on Internation Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora)
Owners/or persons exhibiting must ensure that they have CITES Regulations Article 10 ‘use’ certificates for Annex A of CITES specimens used in filming or ‘educational performances’. For zoos this may or may not be covered by their ‘blanket’ display certificates.
Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981

Firearms Acts 1968-1992
Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 - abolished Home office control re tranquillising weapons