PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh City Council is considering a ban on circuses and other wild animal shows at the behest of animal rights activists.

At Tuesday’s hearing, clowns from the Shrine Circus and others spoke out against the measure.

Officials with The National Aviary — based in the city — Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and Consol Energy Center — which hosts most of the bigger circuses in town — also spoke out against the measure introduced by Democratic Councilman Bruce Kraus.

Those groups spoke of the bonds trainers develop with the animals, and how the animals are used to raise money for worthy causes.

Kraus’s bill would exempt educational programs, as well as accredited facilities like the zoo and aviary.