Elephants don't belong in a circus.
No animals belong in a circus.
Elephant training techniques with bull hooks and chains are known for their cruelty.
It is about time this news finally made mainstream news outlets,
as the famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
was fined $270,000 for on-going elephant cruelty from 2007 to 2011,
by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture under the U.S. Animal Welfare Act.
This is an out-of-court settlement, so guess what?
The circus does not have to admit wrongdoing,
but at least they have agreed to change training methods.
A too-graphic website has photos and video. Don't click this link;
it's heartbreaking.
Elephants belong in the wild.
They live in herds and strong family units.
They are complex and beautiful creatures
---believed to be highly intelligent.
All circuses with animals will eventually retire all their animals.
It's just a matter of time before this form of slavery and abuse ends.
It belongs in and should remain in the 20th century-- let's not carry it
into the 21st century.
Elephants in retirement, hopefully, end up in an elephant sanctuary,
such as The Elephant Sanctuary on 2,700 acres in Tennessee.
Support this noble non-profit.
And go only to animal-free circuses.
Cruelty is not entertainment. (quote courtesy of commenterNR)
40 comments:
Just don’t go. There’s always Cirque du Soleil.
CTK
That video is so sad; I get so indignant when I see animal cruelty. They might be animals but they feel just like we do, they might not be able to talk but they can think. When I see someone hitting a dog for example I feel like calling animal control on them, they don’t see their size and power compare to such a defenseless animal. I have four Yorkies and I think they are my babies and every time some tells me give away two I feel like they are mentioning my mother. The U.S. Animal Welfare Act should have asked for a petition to close down the cirque. I hope before I die I get to see elephant to be free in their natural habit and start to reproduce again.
Y.A
I agree with the Circus’s being animal free. I have been to the Ringling Bros Circus 3 times now and they do put an amazing show, but I never thought of the poor animals they use to make their amazing shows. The Elephants do seem tired and really slow when they perform. The Elephants and all the other wild animals they use should be out in the wild and in preserved areas for them to be free. Animals deserve to be free just like us humans, I can guarantee you that if they would hit a human being the way they hit those animals to train them they would’ve been out of business by now. CMP
I agree with The Right to Animal Liberation... Elephants. It is unfair to selectively give preference to one animal over the other. When someone hurts a dog or cat we see them before the courts on animal cruelty charges. Why are these circuses getting away with these acts of violence? Are they above the law or is money involved? In some countries the elephant is a holy animal, and it is not fair to trample on someone religion especially if it also breaks the law.RR
I am of the opinion that all creatures should remain in their natural habitat. Forced removal is inhumane. Even assuming that the animals are not mistreated they are still locked up. How do you allow an elephant or any other wild animal freedom to roam within the confines of a circus or for that matter, a zoo? Close your eyes for one brief moment and imagine yourself on the other side of the cage looking out through iron bars. You have committed no crime yet you are incarcerated and serving as a spectacle for another’s pleasure. How do you feel? VMR
I believe that seeing an animal captive takes away from the excitement. Animals should not be performing in circuses or in zoos because it is not natural. I’ve never been big on animals but I do believe that we should respect them because we do share this earth and life with them. I know that I will not go to any animal circus especially after reading this.
-LZ
I am a huge animal lover and for that reason I do not visit circuses nor aquariums. These animal deserve freedom, they deserve to be out in the wild running around in their groups. Unfortunately, we live in a money making society and all that matters to most people is money regardless of the cruelty and harm they are causing to all the innocent animals in this world. NOBRA
Animals should be left alone and not abused to receive petty entertainment. It is ridiculous to inflict such harm upon such lovely animals when there is no need for the harm to be done. It is also unimaginable that any facility can provide proper care for such large animals, elephants, and their equally large needs. Animals need to be protected by our society to protect our environment and the ecosystems these elephants belong to. -GLT
Elephants are the most special animal species to walk on earth. Elephants have an intuitive nature towards their family members that is unique. Elephants are born with only four molars and because of their diet, which includes grass, trees, and other roughage, they tend to wear their molars down and usually die from starvation. What is unique with the elephant strong family units is that the entire family will stay with the dying elephant until the end. The family unit stays with the elephant for sometime after his/her death,some might say it is the wake and to say goodbye to their loved one. I love elephants and their unique behavior and have studied them for sometime. This may not be relevant to the post but I had to give my opinion. I do not go to places where they abuse animals, including the circus. Hopefully, one day the abuse of animals for a profit will be put to a stop. We, as people, need to stand up for the animal population that is exploited by these organizations. The animals cannot stand up for themselves but we can stand up for them.
DH63
Animals should not be caged and abused for our entertainment. They should be free, running in the wild like god created them to be. Unfortunately, money is all that matters in our society. We have animals right in this country but we have zoos and circuses that no one monitors for abuse. We need to do a better job to protect all animals because in most cases they can't defend themselves.CJJ
Okay, the baby elephants pictures got to me.
These poor animals deserve to be left alone. I know enough, from all the animal shows I've seen growing up, that elephants are very family-oriented, social, capable of understanding complex things, etc., I just feel horrible seeing this. Boycott Ringling Bros. (and Barnum, and that Bailey guy too!) Cbereng.
No animal should have to go through torture for the pleasure of others. Animals are living creatures, just like us. They have feelings, and thoughts, likes and dislikes. If they are so much like us, why do we torture them or turn the other way, when they are being tortured? GIM
I believe in the Right to Animal Liberation. It is unacceptable to be treating these animals with any kind of physical abuse. They do not need to whipped, hit, or hurt in any way to make them perform in some capacity. I imagine you could still have a circus, have the animals trained without harm, and have a positive outcome. Circus shows do not have to use animals to put on an enjoyable show. Many talented people train and can demonstrate their skills to provide entertainment. In the meantime, if circus trainers are still using animals in their shows, then have them show the audience how important animals are and encourage the spectators to help support them. DS
I agree with the Right to Animal Liberation with any animal including the elephants. The circus people basically beat and torture these helpless elephants to train them. Elephants are very intelligent animals, but unfortunately even the most intelligent animal cannot speak for themselves and therefore we must take the action needed to help be their voices. -KKP
I believe in The Right To Animal liberation.No Animal deserves to be treated this way.Animal abuse is disgusting and animals should be left alone in the wild so they can be free.JP
It is unfortunate that animals in captivity have to suffer in this day in age. There could be a variety of reasons for humans to keep animals (and a circus isn't one of them), but if at any time the animal starts to suffer, it's beyond the point of any right we have.
-DenisA
Nobody goes to the circus anyway unless you feel like smelling some animal excrement.
R.A.T.Jr
I agree that animals should be free. In this case elephants being used as entertainment for people. We don't have the right to keep these animals as slave and over work them just so they can perform a show for a large amount of people. Let these elephants go live in the wild and experience life just how we humans do. H.I.V
I do believe in the right to animal liberation. I do not think that any animal should be enslaved or used in any type of show or performance. I feel that these types of circuses are becoming a thing of the past and will hopefully be gone and with them the animals they use.
C.Munoz
Animal liberation is what I strive for everyday. Working with alligators caged up hurts me everyday. When I walk out to the everglades and see the alligators that are free and lying out in the sun. This puts sadness in my heart for the caged ones. Why do we abuse animals for our entertainment? I think this is so cruel. Imagine if you were caged up your whole life and other species looking at you all day. Everyone is free but you. We do little for animal liberation and we need to speak up and change our ways. I even think seaquarium and zoo’s should be eliminated.
SB
I 100% agree with Animal Liberation. Why should they be treated so cruel? Is it because they don't look like us? They can't talk? They are there own species and are like us in many ways. They speak their own language and feel pain and emotions like we do. Animals have helped this world grow. They don't choose to feed us or carry us to find new land. We should be greatful for their goods and services and at least respect them. Cruelty is not entertainment.-NR
I support the right to animal liberation. As a personal opinion every animal should be free, should not be kept in captivity for any reason, not for preservation of the species, not as pet, neither for entertainment. Just think about it, how would you feel if you were to be put in a cage, with chains around your wrists and feet and on top of everything being abuse?
Cyn.U
I have known about this animal cruelty ever since I can remember, and that is exactly why I do not like circuses. I cannot help but think about all the abuse these animals go through, especially the fact that they are being kept away from their habitat. I took long, but finally now there is justice; not only in the United States, but also in Latin America and the rest of the world. ME
I strongly support the right to animal liberation. Wild animals (elephant, tigers, lions, etc.) should remain free in their natural habitat. We need stronger legislature to protect animals’ rights. We need stronger punishment for companies that exploit animals for profit. Let’s get involved. Let’s fight for the helpless animals.
Torpedo179
I recently watch the movie “water for elephants” and this post reminds me of those poor animals. Personally I hate circuses; animals in general should live freely in the wild, not in a place where they are forced to do what human beings want. Unfortunately, in this materialist world these poor animals are hunted for their tusk which makes it even more dangerous for them to live in their natural habitat.
*NG*
When I saw the video of those trainers hitting the elephants on the face I felt tears begin to form, then I felt hatred to individuals who resort to violence to force something upon an individual. Many animals are safer in captivity, however animal cruelty as a whole should be dissolved.
I have to admit, I have been to the circus numerous times. Actually, I went very recently to take my children for the first time. I had no idea the elephants were treated like this. How could this not be against the law? How can Ringling Brothers still be in business? I will never attend another circus that includes animals. In fact I am going to write to the circus I visited and show my disgust with what happens behind the curtains. I am appalled! JENS
Animals are like humans; they have just as much feelings as we do. The same rights that apply to us should apply to animals. Imagine being ripped apart from your family and home only to be caged, tortured, and held captive all for the amusement of others. It is wrong and immoral; they have the right to respect and freedom just like we do.
Moreover, animals cannot speak up for themselves when abused like we can. Therefore, it is our responsibility to stand up for them and give them a voice.
Every animal should be left in the wild to be free and live in there own habitat. I guess this is one of the reasons why animals like the elephant are actually turning against humans and have become more aggressive. I agree with this right. We shouldn’t have any animal left behind bars and closed in. They were meant to be free with other animals. AFF
Animals belong in the wild. As humanity urges on to this curious horizon we can't victimize all of the world's unwilling participants. It's a shame we have entire industries setup to abuse animals for profit. Even more so, it's a travesty we have legal specialists lined up to protect the ones doing the abuse. JS
Personally I have never gone to the circus. It has never attracted my attention and now thanks to this I will never think of going. The money they were fined is not near enough the amount of money they have made on the backs of these defenseless animals. Thank you for bringing this information to our attention and I definitely agree with this right. YYD
I will never step foot in a circus or zoo or sea quarium, I would much rather see animals living freely in their natural habitat. This is so cruel how would we like it if the animals used us for entertainment? Probably not very fun right? I say everyone should boycott these these shows, these poor animals deserve to be out in the wild as God intended it. Even the everglades, they keep bringing in animals and reptiles that do not belong and it is messing up our eco system. SG
I will never step foot in a circus or zoo or sea quarium, I would much rather see animals living freely in their natural habitat. This is so cruel how would we like it if the animals used us for entertainment? Probably not very fun right? I say everyone should boycott these these shows, these poor animals deserve to be out in the wild as God intended it. Even the everglades, they keep bringing in animals and reptiles that do not belong and it is messing up our eco system. SG
Since the earth was born men have tried to control everything that lives and breathes under the sky, with no limits or consideration for life itself (whether it's animal or human). Elephants are magnificent and intelligent creatures and so are dolphins, and lions, and penguins and so on, but yet we still find it entertaining to go stare at them in cages or at zoos. We need to stop taking all these animals away from their habitat, and let them live like they were meant to live. I think laws need to be more strict when it comes to all animals lives. Hopefully, when we decide to take action, its not too late!
The right to animal liberation is as equally important as any human right. Animals are just as important as humans on earth. No animal should be caged or taken away from its natural habitat. Sanctuaries perhaps may be the best home for an animal raised under captivity. Therefore more charities and benefits should go into these organizations. They try making the free range space as close to the original habitat... The right to animal Liberation...mlv...
I agree with the Right to animal Liberation. It is sad to see how far people can go to "entertain" people and make money. Instead of attending a circus, people should go on safari tours and see the animals in their natural habitat.
-LizR
This just shows how ignorant we are and how cruel we can be to a inferior specie. That is why I always applaud when a lion lashes out on his trainer!
Chuck F.
Animals should be free.I never go to any circus.I'll never give out a penny to see animals in captivity.VP
I believe there could be another way to train the animals, but at the same time I fully agree with the writer that these animals belong in the wild and if you wanna see the go visit them in their natural habitat. That's why i personally don't feel bad for trainers when these animals get pissed and attack them. These animals are not here for your personal entertainment. They don't liked to be whipped, chained, and beaten to do things they don't want to do. Let the animals be free in there own natural habitat.
A.M.
Post a Comment