Abuse Of Animals In The Circus

Elephants have a historical role in the circus, which is often hard for people to let go of, because it becomes connected to tradition. Excepted values of what society holds as morally right becomes blurred allowing for the abuse of animals, specifically elephants, to continue and for this abuse to not be stopped by proper regulation. Ringling Bros. has a long standing record of having elephants in the show. Abuse is common to find in the circus with elephants outside of their natural habitat. There is a growing movement to immediately remove elephants from circus acts eventually turning the show into human only performances.
Elephants play an integral role in the circus, which has a deep rooted tradition in western culture. Rings of Desire:
Circus History and Representation, a book, by Helen Stoddart looks at circuses historically.
In the early 19th century circuses had to use various forms of advertisement to entice people to see the exotic menagerie. In these menageries the key features were elephants and giraffes. People had to be convinced to come to the circus, which is where the tradition of displaying huge posters and newspapers printing large amounts of advertisement arose (52). This idea was a unique concept: to have wild beasts perform acts in front of an audience. After seeing the feat, this was enough to establish this tradition in American culture of the circus, a pastime older than baseball. People now question the integrity of the show as it is a trend in contemporary society to look at aspects of our culture that have been established and take a new perspective of having live animal acts in the show is right environmentally or ethically. Stephanie Sinclair wrote a piece for the New York Times, Running Away with the Circus, which looks at Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus as the elephants are to retire from its shows in the near future. Circuses change along with the public and the main
attraction of the year 1890 in the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus was the incandescent light bulb. There was a great display from Thomas Edison that grew greater attraction than the trapeze artists and other strange performances of the year, like Barretta the Boneless Wonder (2). Peoples’ interests are changing and the circus must adapt to in order to continue on with the show. The establishment of the show in the 1870s makes it difficult for some people to let go of the idea of the circus not having elephant acts. People are reluctant to retire this deep rooted tradition that is seen as a part of American culture.
Ringling Brothers plays an integral role in the abuse elephants endure through their long standing history of having live animals in their show. The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus have had wild animals in their show since their introduction in 1870 the Chicago Tribune reports (1). Public opinion has turned in favor of animal rights activists on the controversial issue of elephants performing in circus. Stephanie Sinclair from the New York Times spoke with Feld, the CEO of Ringling Bros., about this problem,
“It is an amazing thing to see someone fly through the air, but it’s harder to convey that fact to people who believe they are watching people fly through the air on-screen all the time. You can’t convince children who watch shows with talking animals that it is an incredible thing just to see an elephant play ball with another elephant, or to see a tiger simply not eat his trainer” (5). The wonder the circus once brought is lost with advancements in other forms of entertainment that appeal to children and adults alike. Ringling Bros. is a successful business that acknowledges their customers’ opinions and interests are changing.
The use of live animals in the show has drawn negative attention about their treatment. The relationship between the animal and trainer is pertinent. This idea is highlighted in a play Rothfels wrote that looks at how our relationship with elephants and other animals in the menagerie are one-sided in our favor. We use them for our entertainment and curiosity. They do not gain anything from humans and face extinction (#). In order to know elephants, we must look at them with a fresh perspective and on equal footing. The best relationship at this point would be for the removal of them from the show. Placing the elephants where they could be comfortable and thrive in a natural habitat would be ideal.
Much to often elephants perform for our entertainment out of fear because of the abuse the trainers use in order to break the elephants.
Sadly, abuse has been documented numerous times in multiple shows and in specific cases. National Geographic looks at abuse elephants face in the circus in an article, Elephant Abuse Charges Add Fuel to Circus Debate written by Maryann Mott. A point discussed is making elephants who can weigh as much as 8,000 pounds perform tricks, in particular headstands. The trainers will be cruel and break the animals physically and emotionally in order to bend their will. Additionally, the strain of being on the road can be detrimental and takes away from their quality of life. They can be on the show for up to 50 weeks a year and are transported in trailers for as long as days at a time. This lifestyle is not compatible with their needs which are better suited for the wild. Elephants are social animals who migrate during their lifetime (Mott 2). In 2011 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus agreed to pay a $270,000 fine after facing charges from the USDA, the United States
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