Animals In The Circus

“In a circus somewhere right now, an endangered tiger is leaping through a ring of fire as circus patrons gasp, and then cheer. Elsewhere, a majestic elephant, the world’s largest land mammal, is carefully balancing on a tiny pedestal and performing for the crowd” (Anastasia). Many people have visited the circus and have enjoyed watching endangered animals parade around the stage, but many do not know what goes on behind the scenes. Animals are taken forcefully from their homes and families. Bullhooks, electric prods, ropes and fireplace pokers are used to train the animals in the circus (Godd). “This process is hidden completely from the public and is wholly unmonitored by any federal, state, or local entity” (Godd). Ringling Bros. and Barnum

Additionally, to maintain control over these animals, they are often deprived of food and water for extended periods of time” (Godd). Ringling Bros, like most circuses, took their animals from the wild. “While it may appear that the animals that perform in Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey shows are special breeds that were simply born to thrive in the spotlight and eat up applause, in reality they are not. It is estimated that about 50 percent of the Asian elephants owned by Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey were captured from the wild” (Godd). Ringling Bros. Circus is now closed (Solis). Animal abuse was one of the main reasons why the circus needed to close. Animal abuse lead to the closing of Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey circus because of a change in the public’s opinion, the fight for animal rights, and

“Their efforts are targeted at swaying public opinion through protests, advertising, and public relations efforts; at programs geared toward students; and at changing laws through lobbying, litigation, and government involvement” (Day 50). Many people agree that it was the animal rights movement that most affected the circus (Solis). “Thirty-six years of PETA protests, of documenting animals left to die, beaten animals, and much more, has reduced attendance to the point of no return” (“Internet, animal”). The animal rights activists’ ways of protests caused lots of people to no longer attend the circus. PETA believes that “animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment” (Day 14). PETA’s efforts resulted in lower ticket sales for the circus. Lower ticket sales meant no financial