Growing up, many of us were excited to go to the circus. And why wouldn't we be? Images of circus life often surround us when we are children. Clowns, big tops, and circus acts are common themes for our birthday parties, or at our amuseument parks, or in our movies. We take for granted the iconic image of a ringmaster holding a whip in the center of a ring. But let's pause for a moment and look again...what's that guy doing with that whip?

 

The circus has lied to us from the time we were small, causing us to think that whipping tigers or making elephants stand on their heads is "normal," when those activities are anything but normal. They are blatant animal abuse and the only true reason for it is to line the pocketbooks of the companies who enslave the animals, depriving them of their homes, their families, and their freedom.

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In the hands of their “trainers”, animals confined to the circus endure repeated

and prolonged suffering from the time they are babies. This suffering was revealed

to the world in 2009, when whistleblower Sam Haddock shared photos of baby

elephant training with the world. The babies are separated from their mothers,

tied with ropes by all of their limbs and their tiny trunks, and forced into performing

unnatural postures using sharp metal weapons called "bullhooks" . 

 

This treatment continues throughout their lives. At any circus performance featuring

elephants, you will see a trainer or several trainers with bullhooks in hand. The

elephants know that these are weapons that will hurt them if they do not do as they

are requested. 

 

Tigers are also subjected to injurious forms of training. Whips, tight collars, and electric prods are used to force the animals into doing unnatural postures like standing on their hind legs or performing synchronized movements.

 

Unlike the training of our dogs or cats, the training of wild animals involves abuse. They do not respond to "positive reinforcement" techniques. Do not believe circus lies. Circus training IS animal abuse. 

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Training is not the only form of abuse the animals in the circus endure. 

 

In the wild, elephants and tigers will walk and run miles each day. Yet in the circus the animals are confined to small cages, or chained, and are unable to move about as they would naturally. The animals are also frequently transported in train cars or in trucks, and kept there for numerous hours or even days at a time. This occurs for many animals up to 90% of their lives.

 

When you visit an elephant in a circus or zoo, look for them slowly swaying their heads back and forth or rocking from side to side. These actions are called "stereotypic" behaviors and they indicate psychological distress. The intensive confinement of elephants coupled with a lack of ability to socialize with their families, or even others of their kind, causes them to experience emotional trauma. What would your experience of life be like if you were torn from your family and confined in a jail cell?

 

Elephants, tigers, and other animals used by the circus are sentient beings, just like you. They have thoughts, feelings, and a desire to be free.  Please boycott events that cause suffering to animals.