As an example, it is very difficult to recreate the natural environment for elephants. to such a great extent that they may start losing their hair, teeth, or both due to high levels of mental and physical stress. Opines that ringling bros 2010, circus animal abuse, video, youtube, october 23, viewed 26 march 2014; nova 2014, what are animals thinking - are animal; Cites alatola, e, the ethics of animal circuses, animal law guide 2010, the law society of new south wales young lawyers. They are stripped of their natural habitats, and most may never see their families ever again. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Pros & cons of the circus animals by Jodi Strehlow / in Lifestyle Attending a circus event is a rite of passage for many youngsters. Not only did Bolivia manage to ban the use of wild animals in circus performances, but the ban also included domestic animals such as dogs and donkeys. Banning circus animals because of the case of Anne the elephant would be as ridiculous as banning children's television presenters because of Jimmy Savile. Analyzes the pros, cons, and my viewpoint on whether the use of animals for entertainment or gaming constitutes animal cruelty, or if it is justified for cultural and/or economic reasons. 6. Generations of people have brought their children to co wild circus animals. 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. In conclusion, animals used for entertainment whether wild or domesticated are poorly treated, and the practice should be eliminated altogether. Yet, if it fails, the trainer restrains from giving out anything. Also, during the off-season period, they are housed in tiny crates meant for traveling. Now, they have to ensure that the animals are not being abused by them. Keeping animals in captivity can prevent their extinction. This is because of the constant travelling, the cramped transport, the small temporary housing, forced training and performance. Animal trainers use bullhooks, whips, electric prods, and uncomfortable collars to force the poor creatures to do tricks. While the circus created jobs for singers, dancers, entertainers, clowns and misfits who could levy their socially awkward physical appearance for a livelihood, it presented a challenge for the animals. Seeing how the circus is constantly on the road, it is only natural to see animals with severe sores and bruises all over their bodies from repeatedly rubbing against the bars of the cage. As well as the measures targeting circuses, the new law will raise the maximum penalty for mistreating animals to five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros ($85,000), and will tighten . During the summer of 1997, an elephant named Heather died of heat exhaustion while traveling through New Mexico. ? Keep in mind, though, that circus performances were held close to the railway yards back in the day. 7 Opponents argue that animal circus acts are demeaning to animals and do not teach children how to appreciate and respect wild animals. Once upon a time, a circus was a place where the most astonishing events, animals and entertainers could be seen by people who spent most of their time working to survive. Another benefit of using animals in shows (as circles see it) is the profit it brings to the table. Of course, this fact applies only when animals (in captivity) receive proper treatment and care. 6/ Children are enthralled by circus animals. does not only involve beatings and confinement to small spaces. 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. The final version of it could seat over 250,000 people. In 2017, the Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act was introduced, requiring 19 traveling American circuses with animals to swap to human performers or remain out of business. The loud noise of the music, the cheers of the crowd and the dizzying lights all disorientate and cause stress to wild animals. Among the reasons why animal zoos and circuses should be banned is that they confine the animals being trained to a specific place. Generations of people have brought their children to. Mandy Arwani Jee (61360) 5. Poor Conditions. Without question, a wild animal ban would threaten the existence of many circuses. When would someone ever see a bear wearing a costume while spinning balls with its hind feet? The loud noises and crowds of people are often upsetting or frightening for performing animals. 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. and stop the exploitation of all animals, particularly white tigers. Circus animals are often transported over large distances with circuses in Indonesia eventransporting dolphinsby truck and plane which is clearly unsuitable for the species. There are plenty of horror stories about the abuse of circus animals if you go looking for them. Lets cut to the chase. It takes thousands of years for animals to become domesticated. also pointed out ways in which the relationship between animals and trainers could contribute to our scientific understanding of how animals think, learn and perceive the world. The circus business is all about selling as many tickets as possible, cutting corners, and ensuring that the show goes on no matter what. Our investigations in Asia have uncovered moon bears riding motorbikes, macaques riding dogs and orangutans spinning plates. The Knie circus has pitched its tents in Freiburg - and promptly there Zoff: Animal rights activists accuse: lions and elephants do not belong in the ring, they say. Sadly, the circus animals lost a dear friend and a passionate animal rights advocate. Elephants are chained, and big cats are imprisoned in cramped, filthy cages, in which they eat . Visitors are not only entertained, but also educated. Perhaps it was only publicised by animal rights organisations to their existing supporters? ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Even though circuses in Cyprus, Greece, Bolivia, and Malta have banned the use of all animals (both wild and domestic), some countries still won't budge.\n\nThe US, France, and the UK are at the top of the list of countries that still use animals in shows. It is vital to educate adults and children on the cruelty displayed in circuses. Arguments Against Zoos . There were two other incidents that involved an elephant named Tyke that were attributed to her in 1993 as well. , torture and cruelty do not end with wild animals. These days they call it 'enrichment.'. Circus life impacts negatively on animal welfare. Will you donate today and show kindness to animals who only know sadness and pain? When confined animals finally snap, they can cause significant harm. Tuberculosis among elephants in captivity is relatively common. treatment is one of the most common ways trainers establish their dominance, often leading to dehydration and even starvation of the poor creature. Although this is a great step, domesticated animals such as horses, dogs, goats, llamas and birds are sadly still permitted to be used in Irish circuses. However, some circuses wont allow their animals to breed. Animals Asia does not support the use of any animals including dogs in circuses due to widespread abusive training techniques and poor living conditions. Animals in the wild are endangered by human predators and shrinking habitats, and live short, dangerous lives. What countries still use animals in circuses? Most of them are highly educated people who are specifically trained to provide the best care possible. According to facts on circus animal abuse, the first circus elephant was sold to the notorious P.T. 5. The reason being that elephants are group animals that thrive in herds, typically composed of 620 females and calves. But Animal activists have visited an animal training facilities in Suzhou. 3. Circuses train wild animals to perform unnatural acts for human amusement. Were you aware that tigers are actually semi-nocturnal creatures that are only active during the nighttime? Two opinions. Circuses travel nearly year-round, in all weather extremes, sometimes for days at a time. Since they are bred in captivity, the actions will increase the odds of survival for the overall species. 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. The main reason for this is that quality veterinary care is costly, and it does not benefit the budget of the circus. If you want to take it one step further, consider writing a letter to your local officials to stop cruel. , lions and tigers with a white coat can only be produced by father to daughter or sister to brother. that cannot take beatings anymore end up hurting humans and are eventually put down soon after. Circus animals are forced to live in a cage, travel extensively and exist in an unnatural environment. The conditions in which animals are kept in captivity can vary widely, with some facilities providing large naturalistic enclosures and proper care for the animals, while others may provide inadequate space and care. Fish and Wildlife Service. NerdySeal . Sometimes the beatings are so violent that they cause the animal to bleed. Is this the lesson we want to teach our children? 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. Zoos have existed in some form since at least 2500 BCE in Egypt and Mesopotamia, where records indicate giraffes, bears, dolphins, and other animals were kept by aristocrats. The dull days of farming, working in sweaty factories or other menial jobs could be punctuated with a sense of wonder that the annual circus could bring to a city or sleepy town. Often, they are confined to small spaces where they are forced to either stay sedentary or pace up and down for hours upon hours. Proponents of using animals for entertainment argue that condemning animal related events shows a lack of sensitivity toward cultural traditions. Wild animals in circuses are now banned in England and Wales. Some of them are taken away from their families and everything they know, even if theyre born in captivity. Your email address will not be published. We have existing laws to deal with individual cases of cruelty. Even though all these animals are subjected to painful training methods, it seems that elephants have it worst. Kids can now learn about them in early school programs, watch documentaries about them on Animal Planet, and interact with learning lessons online that make the experiences feel real. The animals that are most susceptible to fatal diseases are, in fact, elephants, which are known to carry bacteria responsible for worldwide epidemics. Animals in Circuses and 15 Facts Why They Should Be Banned. Not only do these powerless animals travel with the circus for extended periods each year, but they also travel long distances in tiny boxcars. Being confined to small spaces for extended periods, species such as tigers, monkeys, elephants, and ponies are denied certain natural behaviors. Sometimes enough is enough, and you have to fight back. , obesity is one of the leading health issues these creatures have to endure. He simply refused to do a trick and wanted to leave the arena. Animals in Circuses and 15 Facts Why They Should Be Banned 1. In reality, many endure the worst conditions imaginable and receive horrific treatment from the circus to learn elaborate tricks and stunts for shows. The key to a successful experience is to provide the animals with enough space to live comfortably while traveling, and then providing an enclosure that simulates their natural habitat with as much space as possible. Hence, they are forced to eat, defecate, and sleep in the same confined space. Zoological gardens are a controversial component of human society. Over prolonged periods this can result in abnormal behaviours and health problems related to anxiety. List of Cons of Animals in Captivity. Tigers are semi-nocturnal creatures, but they are forced to stay awake during the day. Wild animals. that are most affected by tiny cages are lions, tigers, bears, and elephants. Animals in captivity are deprived of many things that are important to them, as a result they become lonely and bored. The behaviours they see are completely unnatural and give an entirely false impression of the lives and needs of animals. The most famous tiger trick entails jumping through flaming rings. Many of them suffer from "zoochosis", a psychological condition characterized by repetitive and obsessive behaviors including vomiting, excessive grooming, coprophagia and self-mutilation. Circus animals age and eventually outgrow their usefulness. there have been over 35 serious cases of elephants escaping. Hopefully, this article helped you realize that what we, humans, are doing is extremely wrong and unfair towards our fellow living beings. Animals in circuses develop abnormal behaviors. Animals in the circus that are most affected by tiny cages are lions, tigers, bears, and elephants. Elephants entertain people in the circus Voyage / Peta Deutschland e.V. The animals involved do not have a choice in their vocation as entertainers, and frequently bear emotional and physical wounds or are killed on the job. Exotic animals perform and are exhibited in the entertainment industry for human leisure in zoos, television, movies, and live performances. It also focuses specific attention on three species (primates, elephants, and big cats) that are a . 17. The company responsible for Heather also got in trouble when workers beat a baby elephant named Mickey in front of a live audience. 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. Even though zoos put immense effort into replicating their natural habitat, it still won't be the same. Most importantly, Simon managed to shut down some circus companies and even protested against the Ringling Bros. to take circus elephants off of shows. In Vietnam, weve seen species which are protected by national and international lawperforming in circuses. Nevertheless, were you aware that the abused circus animals receive poor veterinary care or none at all? 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. sharing nice thoughts. Restricting animal use in a circus show could be viewed as an infringement on an individuals right to enjoy animal acts. Finally, the future of orcas in captivity is discussed with both the pros and cons of housing these creatures. In fact, some upsetting data has shown that calves undergoing the so-called breaking process are usually chained for about 23 hours every day. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); are not treated like the stars they are. On the other hand, elephants in the circus or zoo are given straw, branches, and hay. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. Frequently, visitors feed large animals with iconic snacks such as peanuts and popcorn. 3/ 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. Wild animals in circuses We don't believe animals should be subjected to the conditions of circus life. Starter Debate Lessons. Chinese circuses have defended their shows, saying that the animals are well fed and that teaching them tricks can help them become "stars". 5. The animals are beaten, punished, and humiliated to become more submissive and do the tricks the trainers want them to do. It is amazing to see all the tricks that the circus trainers can get the animals to do. Animals all over the world need more care, more safety and more room to play with their type of species. Hence, we can deduce that captive tigers are, in fact, more afraid of their handlers than the flaming rings. Wild circus animals are usually captive-bred, but this doesn't mean that they're tame. Police officers found the animal in a trailer in a hotel parking lot. Because the idea that wild animals belong to the circus is outdated. So, even though the audience may believe that the trainer is petting the. List of the Pros of Keeping Animals in Captivity 1. So what is the problem with wild animal performance? This can arise more danger for zoo personnel, as well as visitors. They provide a safe refuge for endangered or injured animals, but these parks can be abusive in their treatment of creatures as well. Tigers, lions, camels, and other animals endure the rigors of transport, training, and performances, too. Jodi earned an Associate of Arts in social and behavioral sciences from Merritt College and a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from San Francisco State University. Profit cannot be the primary consideration for this advantage to become available. 10/ The circus is a 250-year-old art form that Britain gave to the world. Circuses around the world continue to use animals in their shows and very few countries have banned the practice. which depicts the treatment of large animals. When the current licence expired, the ban was put into effect. The US, France, and the UK are at the top of the list of countries that still use animals in shows. For instance, when an animal successfully does a trick, it receives a reward (in this case, either food or water). . Animals learn how to do tricks through fear instead of encouragement. Most itinerary stops are not inspected even though there are USDA minimum standards of care in the United States. In reality, many endure the worst conditions imaginable and receive horrific treatment from the circus to learn elaborate tricks and stunts for shows. Laws that protect traveling animals are not enforced enough to make a difference, and are highly ignored. 14. Just take a look at some of the prior incidence of said abuse. Lee Xin Jie (61226) Circuses are the best known place of entertainment for children all around the world. Many instances link the deadly disease to an infected. Additionally, alternatives to animal captivity, such as virtual reality and online resources should be considered and used whenever possible. Additional rare animals which receive protection in U.S. zoos include the Addax, Amur tiger, Borneo elephant, and the Pacific walrus. That way, the animal will not bleed during the show, and a bandage is not necessary. Using animals for entertainment means that the animals are being taken advantage of, suffering, and even dying, for the amusement and pleasure of onlookers. 7 -Animals are kept in cages while circuses travel. suffered greatly at the hands of their handlers. In reality,animal circuses teach our children nothing. It is a lifestyle that is far from what their natural environment would be, creating untold stresses on the animals that only increase because theyre kept in rigorous confinement. 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. The best way to educate kids on this topic is by explaining the animals natural behavior and then contrasting it with the behavior in the circus. as part of a . When the circus is run ethically and animals can interact in positive ways with humans, then there is an educational benefit to consider. Many people believe that, even with the best conditions and intentions of zoos, these establishments cannot provide the perfect environment for every animal. Animal performances, especially those featuring exotic animals, are extremely popular and these shows are almost always sold out. Circus animals receive food, shelter and veterinary care. Even though Cholita has gained her freedom, she still carries the brutal scars of her time in the circus. Every aspect of the animal's life, diet and accommodation is governed by strict guidelines. All rights reserved. The industry relied on animal trainers, showmen, and itinerant performers who would perform at local fairs. Numerous countries have based welfare acts that cover the treatment of animals, making their abuse a punishable crime that can lead to jail time. The Wild Animals and Circuses (Wales) Bill came into force on 1 December 2020. The modern ways to train their animal is absolutely different with the olden ways. 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. These needs simply can't be met in a travelling circus environment. travel 11 months per year in unspeakable conditions. Hence, obesity is not only prevalent in humans. The wild animals commonly abused in circuses are extremely stressed by circus conditions. Wild animals have naturally evolved to be comfortable with certain environments, habitats, and climates. Were you aware that tigers are actually semi-nocturnal creatures that are only active during the nighttime? Zoos provide specialized care for the animals that are kept on the grounds. The same gene responsible for the white coat is also linked with the optic nerve, wiring it to the wrong side of the brain. They say the animals are stimulated by training and performance, but all the evidence and the experts disagree. This disadvantage is one of the primary reasons why circuses around the world have been responsible for over 100 injuries and several fatalities. I dont know who you are but certainly youre going to a famous blogger if you This can be very stressful for them. Proponents view circus animals as an opportunity for children to view and appreciate animals. Today in 4Red we have been learning about animals within the circus. Registered charity no.219099. In his own words, Simon said that he wanted to see captured animals walk in grass for the very first time. same gene responsible for the white coat is also linked with the optic nerve, wiring it to the wrong side of the brain. So, even though the audience may believe that the trainer is petting the dog during the show, they are actually prompting the canine with a sharp, painful pinch. Unfortunately, circus elephants are highly susceptible to tuberculosis due to constant, stressful transportation conditions and poor water quality. She was six years old, so she was almost 1,600 pounds off of her ideal weight. Creating jobs for humans has moral implications when it is at the expense of animals. Animal-based circuses portray an inaccurate image of animals live and act.