The circus came to town yesterday in Trenton, New Jersey, but Born Free, USA is is asking Trenton residents to consider the shocking evidence against Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey (Ringling) before buying a ticket that essentially supports animal cruelty.
A recent federal trial of the circus revealed evidence of routine mistreatment of elephants in the circus in violation of the Endangered Species Act, which makes it to harm, wound or harass an endangered species. However, evidence showed handlers routinely striking, punishing and chaining elephants,” according to Nicole Paquette, Esq., senior vice president and general counsel for Born Free USA, and a witness in the trial.
“The evidence, from Ringling’s own employees, its CEO, and its medical records, is crystal clear: Ringling’s treatment of elephants is inhumane,” said Paquette.
The federal trial exposed the following egregious activities:
- An independent examination of Ringling’s medical records, by a Board-certified, retired veterinarian from the San Diego Zoo, corroborated claims that elephants suffer injuries and scarring from bullhook strikes and foot injuries, and lameness from being continually chained. In fact, the evidence revealed that 100% of Ringling’s adult elephants suffer from some ailment related to prolonged chaining on hard surfaces.
- Ringling’s transportation records proved that elephants, both in the circus and at Ringling’s Florida breeding center, spend extensive amounts of time being chained. These records documented elephants being chained for up to 100 consecutive hours in cramped circus railroad cars.
- Ringling’s animal behaviorist reported “an elephant dripping blood all over the arena floor during the show from being hooked.”
- A Ringling veterinary assistant reported that he observed “at least four elephants . . .with multiple abrasions and lacerations from the hooks.” He added that the lacerations were very visible, but that a handler applied a charcoal-colored substance called “wonder dust,” which is used to stop bleeding and camouflage the wounds.
“Ringling constantly compares their training, confinement and handling tactics to those the average individual would use on a dog, yet their own statements and documents prove the exact opposite: elephants endure a lifetime of abuse at the hands of the circus,” added Paquette.
I hope the people of Trenton will stay away from the circus. It’s a hard decision to make because children love animals and have been taught to love the circus, but we must let them know that the animals are not always treated nicely and as a result, adults must make the decision to stay away until and unless the animals are treated properly.
Staying away from the circus provides parents with an important a teachable moment. Staying away shows children that looks can be deceiving and that compassionate people do not enjoy events at the expense of others, for example. Bet you have other examples. Share them.
Comments
thats sad poor elephants!
ha sad is right
poor elephants what cruelty against them!!!
WGAT TORTURE AGAINST ELEPHANTS
Circuses are cruel and anachronistic places where animals and people do extraordinary acts, the only difference is the people have the choice
to see ill-treated animals doesn't make feel good.I desire that all animal are respected.only when it happens I'll be very well.love for all the animals;they are creatures like us.
Ms. Anderson said, " It’s a hard decision to make because children love animals and have been taught to love the circus, but we must let them know that the animals are not always treated nicely and as a result, adults must make the decision to stay away until and unless the animals are treated properly."
The part that leapt out at me is ",,, because children love animals and have been taught to love the circus,,,". Children do indeed learn about the world by what we teach and what we endorse. If we don't object to abuse, children learn that it must be acceptable, even if it doesn't make sense to them.
Children love to see animals, but many naturally perceive the underlying unhappiness of captive and performing animals. When adults stop teaching them to ignore their perceptions, then the days of animals in the circus will be numbered.
I saw chained elephants at a circus called "Circus Vargus" many years ogo. It was in San Jose, California. A much smaller circus then Ringling, but still, they had several elephants. I remember my sister and I walking around the Fair like environment. We did not watch the elephant show. Before another performance the elephants were chained all lined up in a row. We were warned not to approach them because they could be dangerous, As I stood there and watched these beautiful animals with there lsegs chained together, my eye's welld up with tears. A few of them were swaying back and forth. They do that out of boredom and anxiety.When I got home I wrote a letter to the Editor of our local news paper about my experience at the circus and my anger at the mis-treatment of the elephants. I never saw my letter posted and never heard a word from the paper
The news paper was selling AD space for the Circus, so that must have explained why I never saw my letter posted.
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