Circuses are known for their clowns, acrobats, and of course, animals. Nowhere else could people witness elephants balancing on tiny stools or wild cats jumping through hoops. However, animal rights activists have been criticising circuses for decades. Thomas Pietsch, Head of Wild Animals in Entertainment at Four Paws describes circuses as “animal cruelty on tour” for a number of reasons, including “cramped conditions” and “tricks that go against their natural behaviour, causing them tremendous distress.”
Mother-child separation
Animals are often separated from their mothers at a very young age to start training. For example, baby elephants are chained and hit with electric prods or bullhooks when they try to escape. This teaches them that struggling is futile, so they remain obedient as they mature even when they become strong enough to fight back. In 2016, California banned the use of bullhooks, which resemble hooked spears, but they are still used to manage elephants in training in other parts of the world. Even during performances, trainers may carry concealed bullhooks to keep the animal in line.
Abusive training
Similarly, lions and tigers are often wounded, starved, and caged in order for them to become cooperative. Since they are forced to perform acts outside of their natural movement, they suffer from long-term physiological damage. Training involves violence to teach them how to behave then food is used as a reward.
For domesticated animals like dogs and horses, the training may not be as extreme or abusive. However, many animal rights activists denounce using them since their wellbeing can’t be prioritized when there are shows to train for and places to travel to.
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Cramped transport
Because circuses travel constantly, animals spend a lot of time forced into box cars or onto the back of trucks. Small spaces like these are unnatural for animals who would otherwise be prowling jungles, forests, and savannahs. For instance, tigers tend to roam up to 400 miles a day, but their circus brethren are stuck in transport enclosures for days or even months. Animals have also died of heatstroke, such as a young lion with Ringling who had died in a boxcar with poor ventilation. Unfortunately, most boxcars come with no climate control so the animals are subject to all sorts of extreme temperatures. They also have to eat, sleep, and defecate in the same cramped area.
Small, temporary housing
While the circus puts on shows, the animals perform for a short span of time before being confined to their cages for the rest of the day. Moreover, many animals are denied veterinary care, and are subject to malnutrition. Because of their living restrictions, they tend to develop behavioral and physical health issues. Big cats are put into small cages where they can develop sores or behaviors indicative of stress like excessive grooming and pacing.
Stressful performances
Unfortunately, performing during a show is also extremely damaging. Wild animals can become disoriented when faced with loud crowds, booming music, and flashing lights. This can make their tricks even more difficult and anxiety-inducing to perform. For these reasons, shows can be traumatic, according to Animals Asia.
Animal rights violations
Ringling, Cole Bros., Carson & Barnes, Shriners, and UniverSoul were/are among the biggest names in animal circuses, and all have been cited for not abiding by the Animal Welfare Act’s minimal care requirements. These include failure to provide proper vetrinatary care, adequate space, and even access to fresh water and food, according to World Animal Protection.
“Animal rights are not about bigger cages or more humane training methods; it’s about not using or exploiting animals for food, clothing, or entertainment,” writes Doris Lin on Treehugger. “…Animal rights are not about ranking or quantifying suffering, because all sentient beings deserve to be free.”
Human suffering
There are many accounts of circus staff and trainers being attacked by animals in their care. This raises the idea that animal circuses are also risky and hazardous to humans. It’s no surprise since these individuals work with creatures they should run from if they met in the wild. There are also cases of animals escaping the circus, such as a 2004 incident when a tiger escaped the Cole Bros. Circus and ran through New York City and caused multiple car accidents.
Animal-free circuses are better
As of 2023, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus restructured their shows to become animal-free, reported the Humane Society. The acts now spotlight human performers like clowns, jugglers, trapeze artists, and acrobats. Cirque du Soleil and many others have already proven that circuses don’t need animals to be popular and successful. People are capable of so many incredible feats that can stun and wow audiences all over the world.
With the recent awareness of animal abuse behind the scenes, many attendees feel more uncomfortable than delighted seeing elephants and tigers in the circus tent. Instead of creatures being forced into shows, they’d prefer seeing remarkably talented, inspiring, and passionate performers who prove what humans are truly capable of.
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