Environment Minister Barbara Pompili announced plans to ban mink farms in the country and use of wild animals in traveling circuses, and the breeding of dolphins and orcas in captivity.

The country's three dolphinariums will also no longer be able to breed or bring in new dolphins or killer whales.

"It is time that our ancestral fascination with these wild beings no longer means they end up in captivity," Pompili claims.

The decision got massive support from the French people. The survey showed that 72 percent are against keeping animals in captivity.

A major victory for animal rights groups

Animals' rights group PETA hailed the decision as a historic victory:

"Champagne bottles are being uncorked here. Thank you to all those who have helped bring this about."

The animal charity 30 Million Friends welcomed the ban. They tweeted that the government had taken "the public's demands for the wellbeing of wild animals" into account.

They said that they wanted the decisions to be pushed through as quickly as possible.

Minister Barbara Pompili announced the new sweeping measures immediately, stating that the country has to change its "attitude to wild animals." However, there's still one issue left.

There's no actual date

Pompili was vague when the ban would come to life on mink farms and the use of wild animals for entertainment. She only stated that it would be in "the years to come." Minister continued:

"Putting a date on it does not solve all the problems," Pompeii said.

She added: "I prefer to start a process so that we get there as quickly as possible."

The French fur industry is furious, and they will try to fight the ban.

However, even luxury fashion houses have been going fur-free in recent years. It only means one thing: fur is no longer in style.

Help is coming for the circuses

It is as yet unclear what the measures will mean for theme parks.

Pompili said that no dolphinariums will be allowed in France, not now, or ever.

She also added the government was looking at the idea of a sanctuary for the dolphins and the three orcas now in captivity.

Minister warned that it could take "seven to ten years to prepare a future" for the creatures. French circuses use 500 wild animals at the moment. But there's a solution.

Pompili said the government would offer circuses and dolphinariums an aid package of up to eight million euros, or 9.3 million USD, to help them adapt to the prohibitions.

"We are asking circuses to reinvent themselves," she said.

"It will be a time when they will need support, and the state will be at their side," the minister added.

Over 20 European countries have banned or restricted the use of animals for entertainment. Though there's no actual date, it's a step in the right direction.

Though this ban may seem trivial considering everything that's been going on globally, let's not forget that we share this planet. And we, as humans, don't have the right to abuse other species.