The marvel of elephants dancing and lions jumping through fiery hoops is no longer a must-see for most folks. We’ve evolved into a culture that recognizes the need for wild animals to roam free in their own habitats.

In keeping with that mindset, the Hawaii Board of Agriculture voted unanimously Tuesday to move forward on rules that would define “dangerous wild animals” and ban them from being brought to the state for use in circuses and fairs.

The ban is long overdue considering the tragic death of Tyke, an African elephant that broke loose from the Neal Blaisdell Center in 1994 after killing its trainer and injuring a groomer during a circus.

We urge the public to weigh in on the issue starting in January, when hearings likely will be held on all islands.

Following the public hearings, the rules will go back to the Agriculture Board for approval and decision-making by Gov. David Ige, who supports ending the practice of bringing wild animals to Hawaii for purely entertainment reasons.

If the rules are adopted, Hawaii would make a strong statement by becoming the first state to implement such a ban, leading the way for other states. Already, more than 40 U.S. cities and 30 countries prohibit the use of wild animals for circuses and other performing acts.

The measure is a natural next step as zoos and other facilities move away from caging animals or exploiting them in shows. The Honolulu Zoo, for example, has evolved over the years, with some animals allowed to roam through its African Savanna exhibition. SeaWorld San Diego recently announced it would phase out its killer whale performance starting next year, noting that its San Diego guests wanted a more natural experience rather than gimmicks and tricks.

Under the proposed rules, two dozen wild animals — ranging from bears and lions to the gavial, a long-nosed fish-eating crocodile — would be banned.

So far, government-run zoos and the film and television industry would be exempt from the ban. It is certainly reasonable to exempt zoos, which serve an educational function. For many Hawaii youths, visiting creatures at the zoo might be their only opportunity to see a “wild” animal.

Animal advocates are urging the board to include marine mammals, such as dolphins, in the ban. But the focus should remain on the two-dozen animals now listed under the proposed rule.

Board Chairman Scott Enright said that any change to the proposal would prolong the process, and a ban on marine mammals could be taken up as part of a separate rule-making process, depending on public feedback.

There have been well-publicized incidents of wild animals in circuses and shows turning on their captors. Recent screenings of a documentary, “Tyke: Elephant Outlaw,” only bolstered support of the new rules.

Yet there is also vocal opposition. The Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council is worried that the proposal could set a precedent for regulating transport of cattle for rodeo shows. Feld Entertainment, a worldwide producer of entertainment shows including Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, testified there are more reasonable alternatives such as increased regulations.

Hawaii’s current effort, however, aims to halt the exploitation of wild animals. Entertainment need not include removing animals from their natural habitats for the drilling-in of sideshow tricks, enabled by cruel training techniques and devices.

Let’s leave the lions and tigers and bears alone, in the interests of animal welfare and public safety.