There were fewer bullfights in Portugal last year with the number of fights declining to the level of 14 years ago.
The General Inspectorate of Cultural Activities, the body responsible for overseeing and licensing the activity, stated in its latest annual report that the decrease in the number of bullfights and the number of spectators at each had nothing to do with the crisis - "despite the economic climate there has not been a significant decrease in the number of shows," but admitted that fewer bullfights had taken place.
Audiences have dropped from 620,000 in 2002 to 440,000 last year with the largest decrease between 2011 and 2012 showing a drop of 21%.
YouTube recently decided to close its bullfighting coverage. At the time a spokesman for the site said its rules are clear and that "no misconduct or mistreatment of animals is tolerated," adding that videos of bullfights are OK, but not if they show the bull being killed.
Portugal has its anti-bullfight lobby with a recent petition fronted by Rui Manuel calling for an "End of public money for bullfighting" which received about 3,000 supporters. Manuel secured a meeting with the Prime Minister to present the petition and protest in person at Portugal’s offical toleration of bullfighting.
The politicians realise the issue is divisive and contentious in Portugal and that the historical and cultural aspect of bullfighting will require plenty of time for dialogue before reaching a decision.
In the meantime bullfighting carries on but with the recent sharp drop in numbers maybe the sport will die a natural death, unlike the bulls.
