British comedian Ricky Gervais has something new to smile about. The U.K.’s Department for the Environment announced Thursday that it plans to implement laws within two years that will ban the use of wild animals in circuses. Gervais, a longtime animal rights activist, has been working to persuade government officials to outlaw the use of wild animals such as tigers, kangaroos, elephants, zebras, and camels in circus performances. The ban follows a campaign by animal rights groups which helped draw attention to the abuse of elephant Anne, Europe’s oldest living elephant.

On Thursday, Gervais tweeted, ”We won… Congrats Twonks (fans). A victory for compassion.”

Gervais is joined in his support of this legislation by Sir Paul McCartney.

American celebrities, including Pink, Demi Moore, and Olivia Munn, are working to ban the use of circus elephants in the US.