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Hawaii is soon set to be the first U.S. state that will ban "wild performing animals". It will ban the use of bears, elephants, tigers, primates, rhinos, hippos, hyenas, crocodiles and big cats that are currently being utilised to entertain.

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture board agreed for a rule change Tuesday to define "dangerous wild animals" and ban importing them "for exhibition or performance in public entertainment shows such as circuses, carnivals and state fairs," according to The Huffington Post. The new law is slated to be in effect by early next year.

The only animals not to be used would be those for commercial filming in television or in the movies.

"We're hoping of course that Hawaii will set an example for other states to take the next step," said Inga Gibson, Hawaii senior state director for the Humane Society, saying that the ban was "a long time coming".

The US Humane Society  and many other institutions petitioned the state agriculture department to include dangerous wild animals to their list of prohibited species in October 2014, which made way for the ban.

However, the indignant people of the ban are fair and circus advocates, True Activist  explained. The Circus Fans Association said the ban has been effected by "animal rights extremists" who make "false statements about circus animal mistreatment."

Asian elephants walk to the Staples Center, hours before a memorial service for deceased singer Michael Jackson.
During the traditional Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus Animal Walk from the circus train on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
Ann Johansson/Getty Images