Animal-free circuses are thriving, so consider going to one of them for entertainment value instead of watching animals perform useless tricks. 96 percent of circus animals are kept in cages for 11 months of the year. So, even though the audience may believe that the trainer is petting the. The wild animals commonly abused in circuses are extremely stressed by circus conditions. Animals keep dying because zoo keepers and owners can not take good enough care of the animals, or have the time to feed the animals, or take the time to take good care of the animals. Arctic drilling Animals are locked up and abused. Not only do these powerless animals travel with the circus for extended periods each year, but they also travel long distances in tiny boxcars. there have been over 35 serious cases of elephants escaping. It was once a wonder and an astonishing event that pulled people from around the country to experience together. Circus animals are often transported over large distances with circuses in Indonesia eventransporting dolphinsby truck and plane which is clearly unsuitable for the species. Britain's last big cat trainer, Thomas Chipperfield posted a video diary on YouTube to demonstrate how this works in practice. Animals learn how to do tricks through fear instead of encouragement. Sheila Lehrke, the animal issues coordinator for the International Professional Rodeo Association, has a brochure full of rules and guidelines for handling livestock that govern all association. Yeoh Zhi Cynn (62962) 2. Two of the most common animals involved in Pet Sports are dogs and horses. Many animals used in circuses are bred in captivity and will spend their entire lives in close contact with humans in an unnatural, stressful environment. Another case from 2013 revealed that eight workers at the Zoo in Oregon suffered the disease after getting too close to an ill elephant. It is transmitted through the air, placing anyone that comes in direct contact with the ill animal (whether it be another elephant or human) at serious risk. Animals Asia Foundation All Rights Reserved 2020, Moon Bear Hero Awards 2022 Kindness in Action, animal circuses teach our children nothing. Even adults will seldom get as close to wild animals as they do in a big top. As of 2011, the British government also is working a policy pertaining to wild animals in circuses. You rarely see wild elephants traveling and living all by themselves. Training techniques involve using whips and other devices to force animals to act. Alternatives to balloons and sky lanterns. 4. In 2006, the last Labour government commissioned a six-month study of circus animals, with full participation by circuses and anti-circus campaigners, and concluded that circuses were as capable as other captive environments, such as zoos, of meeting the welfare needs of the animals in their care. Retired animals must be placed in a zoo, sanctuary or with an individual trained to care for wild animals. Not many of us know that circuses featuring animals are actually extremely cruel to those lovable creatures. The use of animals in captivity should be minimized and done in a way that causes the least harm, and ensure that the animals are able to express their natural behaviours as much as possible. [ 1] [ 2] The contemporary zoo evolved from 19th century European zoos. They are stripped of their natural habitats, and most may never see their families ever again. Zoos provide opportunities for nice family trips. He instantly became the biggest star (both literally and figuratively) of the show. Your email address will not be published. Azizah binti Abbas (55559) 3. Circus animals such as tigers and elephants are on the endangered species list. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Proponents claim that there is evidence that animals enjoy performing and that they form bond with trainers. In reality, many endure the worst conditions imaginable and receive horrific treatment from the circus to learn elaborate tricks and stunts for shows. There are plenty of horror stories about the abuse of circus animals if you go looking for them. Unfortunately, circus elephants are highly susceptible to tuberculosis due to constant, stressful transportation conditions and poor water quality. So, please remember to spread the word and share this information with others! Circuses and other animal entertainments The animal rights answer The use of animals to entertain human beings is wrong because: it treats the animal as a means to achieve some human end. Big cats are popular in the circus, but many have their teeth and claws removed rendering them harmless to their abusers. List of the Pros of Keeping Animals in Captivity 1. Over prolonged periods this can result in abnormal behaviours and health problems related to anxiety. does not only involve beatings and confinement to small spaces. When the current licence expired, the ban was put into effect. These days they call it 'enrichment.'. Managing exotic animals is tricky. during the show, they are actually prompting the canine with a sharp, painful pinch. But when Stanley Johnson and a group of politicians delivered a petition to 10 Downing Street on Wednesday, calling for a ban on wild animals in the big top, I wondered how many of them had first-hand experience of how circuses care for their animals. Or watch an elephant balance on a ball as it leads its pace to a water source in the savannah? Our US tax identification number is 31-1802788. Animal performances, especially those featuring exotic animals, are extremely popular and these shows are almost always sold out. Because animals must become broken before they can perform tricks or stunts for entertainment, the combination of uncomfortable positions, potential abuse, and small cages or enclosures can lead to abnormal behavior patterns. These needs simply can't be met in a travelling circus environment. 3. The sooner people realize this, the better. Finland: Ban on the use of apes, predators, elephants, hippopotami, marsupials, rhinoceroses, seals, crocodiles, predatory birds, ostriches, wild forms of ruminant or equine animals. Yet, if it fails, the trainer restrains from giving out anything. Although the UKs Government pledged to ban them in 2012, the individual Conservative MPs still repeatedly block the bills. However, some circuses wont allow their animals to breed. I every time spent my half an hour to read this The circus is a cultural tradition in the United States and throughout the world. ? Just take a look at some of the prior incidence of said abuse. Circuses are not only a concern for the animals in them, but also for the people watching. Nevertheless, were you aware that the. The most common and cruel tactic for forcing animals to perform elaborate tricks is by terrifying them with different forms of physical (and mental) punishment. PETA's . 7. Every aspect of the animal's life, diet and accommodation is governed by strict guidelines. Pros And Cons Of Zoos . Big cats do what theyre told to avoid pain. Animals spend 96 percent of their lives behind bars. 2. Only a small fraction of the people who care for these animals use abusive practices. Vision Launch: Pros and Cons of Animals in Captivity, Time: The Last Act of the Greatest Show on Earth. In conclusion, animals used for entertainment whether wild or domesticated are poorly treated, and the practice should be eliminated altogether. Starter Debate Lessons. Just take a look at some of the prior incidence of said abuse. Circuses with wild animals are strictly regulated by a licensing scheme, introduced in 2012, that sees them inspected by vets six times a year (twice unannounced) with the results available online. First,Animals in zoos are hurt and abused just to do a little old trick.They are locked and cages and beaten and starved.Next, They are all cramped in a cage together and chained up.Also,they are whipped ad smacked around to do something they do not want to do. Then there was Benjamin, a 4-year-old elephant who drowned while attempting to swim in a pond after being tortured with a bullhook. Sometimes they even harm themselves. If you see animals who start swaying as they stand, bob their heads frequently, or have incessant pacing, then that is an individual who requires an immediate professional intervention to improve their health. And the list goes on. Bit ironic, isnt it? Animals Asia Foundation, LimitedAnimals Asia Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. More often than not, these animals show signs of incredibly painful ailments, ranging from mere physical abuse to mental health issues. Animals in the circus that are most affected by tiny cages are lions, tigers, bears, and elephants. By the late 19th century, lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, and other animals from overseas would travel the United States, performing shows on a large scale with zoological exhibits as a marketing point. Kimberley McGee is an award-winning journalist with 20+ years of experience writing about education, jobs, business and more for The New York Times, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Todays Parent and other publications. 2/ An earlier study by animal behavourist Dr Marthe Kiley-Worthington found circus animals suffer no stress during performance, training or transportation. Regardless of how old we are, we never stop learning. The reason being that elephants are group animals that thrive in herds, typically composed of 620 females and calves. Well, in circuses, tigers are made to perform during the daytime, and they are forced to stay awake as long as the handler wants them to. This includes elephants and moon bears. Profit cannot be the primary consideration for this advantage to become available. This paper provides a detailed analysis of the federal, state, and international laws that affect circus animals. . After being diagnosed with colon cancer, Simon joined forces with PETA in drawing up a list and helping as many animals as he could before he passed away. In reality,animal circuses teach our children nothing. Question: The Pros and Cons of the Circus Animals Attending a circus event is a rite of passage for many youngsters. It is not unusual for them to become depressed and despondent in a slow, downward spiral that can eventually lead to self-harm behaviors or attacks against humans. It is amazing to see all the tricks that the circus trainers can get the animals to do. Sometimes the beatings are so violent that they cause the animal to bleed. Well, the extreme frustration and the increased mental stress exhibited in animals in captivity, popularly. And it's working: We are seeing momentum at the state and local level to ban the use of some wild animals in circuses. , the secret to achieving this lies in something referred to as . Critics argue that animals in captivity may suffer from stress and confinement and that they may not be able to express their natural behaviors. 1. We empower you to efficiently solve each new challenge and make your life better and easier. Even when the animals are not performing, they are typically locked up in rusty chains. lost a dear friend and a passionate animal rights advocate. These are actions elephants have never been observed carrying out in the wild precisely because they cause long-term damage to the animals physiology. Many animals develop behavioural and/or health problems as a direct result of the captive life that they're forced to lead. Not only is this an absolutely disgusting thing to do (in general) but the genetic defect that makes the animals coat white can also cause different health problems and various other severe defects such as making the white tiger cross-eyed. Yes, indeed, all white tigers are cross-eyed. which depicts the treatment of large animals. Captured animals that are brought to the zoos tend to develop behavioral problems, which causes concern for the overall well-being of all the resident animals. Since they are bred in captivity, the actions will increase the odds of survival for the overall species. The industry relied on animal trainers, showmen, and itinerant performers who would perform at local fairs. The US, France, and the UK are at the top of the list of countries that still use animals in shows. Educate Others on the Cruelty in Circuses. Part of HuffPost News. Even then, any animal that is forced to do tricks as a way to generate applause is one that is being potentially abused for the sake of human income. It's important to note that the use of animals in captivity should be done with the utmost care and that the animals should be treated humanely and their needs should be met. 9/ A ban on circus animals would be the thin end of the wedge because animal rights campaigners have a wider philosophical agenda than animal welfare. It offers another avenue to consider for breeding programs. , obesity is one of the leading health issues these creatures have to endure. Another benefit of using animals in shows (as circles see it) is the profit it brings to the table. So, if a cruelty-free circus shows up in your town, check it out and show your support. Travelling circuses are still allowed to transport wild animals while they are in England. Cholita was stumbled upon entirely by accident when Jan Creamer, the president of Animal Defenders International, organized a seizure of the Peruvian circus. Banning circuses from using animals would decrease the number of species in captivity and increase the chance of extinction. Circuses are always on the move, putting the animals in cages and transporting them from state to state with little shelter from the elements. 7 Additionally, alternatives to animal captivity, such as virtual reality and online resources should be considered and used whenever possible. Elephants entertain people in the circus Voyage / Peta Deutschland e.V. Bet you didnt know that most cages in which. Hence, we can deduce that captive tigers are, in fact, more afraid of their handlers than the flaming rings. Whats up its me, I am also visiting this Wild animals have naturally evolved to be comfortable with certain environments, habitats, and climates. Tigers, lions, camels, and other animals endure the rigors of transport, training, and performances, too. Here you can find a list of the most popular circus animals: Lions Tiger Elephants Giraffes Rhinos Hippos Bears . 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. There were two other incidents that involved an elephant named Tyke that were attributed to her in 1993 as well. that are most affected by tiny cages are lions, tigers, bears, and elephants. Unfortunately, the lack of exercise does not only apply to when the circus is on the move but in general. Even though circuses in Cyprus, Greece, Bolivia, and Malta have banned the use of all animals (both wild and domestic), some countries still wont budge. The loud noise of the music, the cheers of the crowd and the dizzying lights all disorientate and cause stress to wild animals . Just think of Gus, a polar bear kept in Central Park Zoo, who, in the mid-1990s, worried spectators as he obsessively swam up and down his tiny pool, sometimes even for 12 hours a day. Unlike most contemporary all-human circus shows, traditional circuses with animals receive no public funding and survive entirely on ticket sales. Times have changed. Regrettably, laws regarding the treatment (read: mistreatment) of animals only set up impossible standards that either go ignored or are totally dismissed. If a zoo has a breeding programme, this is another way to protect endangered species which may have trouble finding suitable mates in the wild. He became a cavalry officer who created a modern amphitheater to show off horse riding tricks in Lambeth, London in April 1768. The living conditions at circuses consistently fail to meet the animals most basic needs. She would kill her trainer, seriously injure her groomer, and then bolt from the arena to run through the streets of the city. They were often overworked, beaten into submission and left to less-than-average food supplies on an irregular schedule. This disadvantage is one of the primary reasons why circuses around the world have been responsible for over 100 injuries and several fatalities. The animals that you see performing in the circus were usually bred in captivity after the initial captures took place. Two opinions. Some cultural traditions are founded upon animal exploitation for entertainment purposes. Fortunately, this article will attempt to expose the extreme horror that is the animal circus and what goes on behind closed doors (or, should I say cages). Circuses should not be allowed to capture wild animals for entertainment purposes because the animals are abused, the populations are decreasing, and the animals don 't have enough freedom. It also explains the solutions to banning animal circus and zoos. . Animals should not be used in a circus. Keep in mind, though, that circus performances were held close to the railway yards back in the day. Unfortunately, this was the case with Cholita, an Andean bear illegally kept at a famous circus in Peru, now thriving in the wild. On the other hand, elephants in the circus or zoo are given straw, branches, and hay. 5. The consultation was held during the year I was writing Circus Mania and immersed in the world of circus, but I never heard about it. By placing them in shelters or zoos they will be able to recover from their injuries and be protected. It can be defined as neglect or the infliction of pain or suffering towards animals. Creating jobs for humans has moral implications when it is at the expense of animals. Large cats and circus bears are typically kept in 510 foot cages max for around 26 hours. She was six years old, so she was almost 1,600 pounds off of her ideal weight. 3. Examples of unnatural tricks these animals are forced to perform would be the common 'dancing . Pros & cons of the circus animals by Jodi Strehlow / in Lifestyle Attending a circus event is a rite of passage for many youngsters. Natural animal behaviors are changed. Animal-based circuses portray an inaccurate image of animals live and act. Now, they have to ensure that the animals are not being abused by them. Animal rights activists object to the overwhelming number of animals that have died due to abusive treatment and lack of veterinary care in circuses. It is transmitted through the air, placing anyone that comes in direct contact with the ill animal (whether it be another elephant or human) at serious risk. Canines, a species known for being loyal companions, are also subjected to painful training tactics, such as the pinching method. Often, they are confined to small spaces where they are forced to either stay sedentary or pace up and down for hours upon hours. Using trained animals in the circus. Circuses are much older than that, with the Circus Maximum a critical staple of Rome during the Roman Empire. Chinese circuses have defended their shows, saying that the animals are well fed and that teaching them tricks can help them become "stars". China has banned . Unfortunately, after one of his performances in 1885, he was hit by a train and killed on the spot. Jumbo, the worlds largest circus elephant, was hit by a train after being led to his stall after a show. It is vital to educate adults and children on the cruelty displayed in circuses. The average circus travels for 48 weeks of the year, and during this time, the animals are all confined to tiny cages, only just big enough . It is time to rethink the idea of having any animals in a circus. Zoos can raise awareness on our environmental problems. During an August 1994 performance at the Neal Blaisdell Center in Kakaako, HI, Tyke the elephant had finally had enough. suffered greatly at the hands of their handlers. Whether youre studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers. are highly susceptible to tuberculosis due to constant, stressful transportation conditions and poor water quality. So what is the problem with wild animal performance? Naturally, the constant beatings can leave ugly and painful wounds on the body that are not appealing to the visitors. 12. Efforts need to be made to encourage circus owners to breed animals to maintain captive animal populations and reduce the number of wild animals removed from their natural environments. 17. Also, during the off-season period, they are housed in tiny crates meant for traveling. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What happens to animals in circuses? Hence, obesity is not only prevalent in humans. , the first circus elephant was sold to the notorious P.T. Seeing how animals are treated in the circus today, even if it is only as part of a zoological display, works to counteract that message. Companies get to continue operating despite frequent violations. 5. These actions are so unnatural that no animal can be encouraged or instructed to carry them out they must be forced. When officials found Heather, they estimated her weight to be 2,400 pounds. Captive animals can't behave, socialise or get enough exercise as they would in the wild. The loud noise of the music, the cheers of the crowd and the dizzying lights all disorientate and cause stress to wild animals. Many of the animals used in circuses are bred in captivity. When working with exotic animals people learn from them and they can learn life values such as compassion. site daily, this web page is truly pleasant and the visitors are genuinely Also, some trainers even drug the creatures or remove their claws and teeth to make them more tame.. is relatively common. Circuses around the world continue to use animals in their shows and very few countries have banned the practice. Always a draw for families, the circus has put the power of the human body over the parade of animals that once made it famous. Most itinerary stops are not inspected even though there are USDA minimum standards of care in the United States. Perhaps it was only publicised by animal rights organisations to their existing supporters? Well, the extreme frustration and the increased mental stress exhibited in animals in captivity, popularly known as zoochosis, causes these poor animals to do just that. Children have put together videos of reasons why animals should be included within the circus world as well as arguing their views for why animals should not be part of a circus act. Circus animals age and eventually outgrow their usefulness. Big cats or other larger wild animals are confined to 'beast wagons' or chained in trucks.