Calcutta, Dec. 7: The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) today banned keeping and exhibiting wild animals in 21 circuses, many of which are regulars in the city.

The CZA order came in the wake of inspections based on complaints that wild animals suffer "horrible cruelty" in circuses.

The environment ministry has given the CZA the mandate to look after wild animals kept in confinement, including circuses and zoos.

Many circuses have elephants, hippopotamuses and exotic birds such as macaw, cockatoo, African grey parrots, all of which need the CZA's clearance.

In 1999, tigers and leopards were banned from circuses.

"We commissioned photo and video footage of animals kept in circuses... what we saw was horrible. The conditions are far below the recommended standards. This is no way to keep any animal," D.N. Singh, head of the CZA, said.

The CZA has directed the chief wildlife wardens in all the states to rehabilitate elephants from the 21 circuses.

"Non-wild animals" such as horses, camels and dogs have been exempted from the ban.

"We found the upkeep of animals in circuses across Bengal, including in Calcutta, generally quite poor," Radhika Bose, member of the animal welfare board who was part of a central inspection team, said.

Among the 21 circuses, Jumbo, Empire, Famous and Olympic regularly hold shows in Calcutta during winter.

Ajanta, another regular in the city, is under the scanner though it has not been served the order.

A state forest department official said appropriate steps would be taken after receiving the CZA order.