The Abuse of Circus Elephants

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Recommended: Importance of animal rights

The smell of popcorn and cotton candy in the air and the sight of elephants entering the big top, trunk in tail, seems like a dream come true. How they perform those intricate tricks so smoothly is quite a sight. How are those large creatures capable of a headstand? Well, according to a New York Times article, circus elephants endure training methods that include: electric prodding, beatings, hours of being chained up, and unimaginable cruelty. Due to their large size many trainers feel that the intimidation method is the only way such a large and wild creature can be trained (“Its a Wonder More”). Often people are unaware of the abuse that goes on in the training of these gentle giants. Maggie Knox, author of the article “Students Protest Cruelty Towards Circus Elephants,” shares the fact that an elephants is not the family dog and cannot be trained with treats; therefore, they are trained to be frightened of not performing. Tricia Lebkuecher, the service chair for Vegetarians International Voice for Animals, states that, “it is unethical to use wild animals for entertainment purposes.”(qtd. in Knox 1). Ringling Bros is one of the worst offenders and was fined $270,000 for animal cruelty which is one of the largest circus fines in history. They have received several citations over the years for poor handling, improper veterinary attention, and unsanitary feeding methods (Knox 1). While the sight of elephants performing in a big top may be a dream come true, it is an elephants worst nightmare. Due to the suffering that circuses inflict on elephants, they should no longer have the privilege of working with or caring for elephants.

Circuses should be prohibited from working with elephants for three reasons. The first

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Knox, Maggie. “Students Protest Cruelty Towards Circus Elephants.” UWIRE Text. 3 Feb. 2013 1. Academic OneFile. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.

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M. Jaynes. “How Circus Elephants Are Sometimes Abused By Their Trainers.” News and Issue: Animal Rights. 11 Oct. 1994. Academic OneFile. web. 18 Nov. 2013.

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Mckinley, James C., Jr. "What to do with traumatized elephant stirs up Dallas." New York Times 15 Aug. 2008: A11(L). Academic OneFile. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.

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"Polebrook Circus Owner Bobby Roberts Convicted of Elephant Abuse." International Business Times - US ed. 23 Nov. 2012. Academic OneFile. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.

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Sahagun, Louis. “Elephants Pose Giant Dangers,” Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 1994. Academic OneFile. web. 17 Nov. 2013.

"Sarah Silverman Asks Feds To Free Sick Circus Elephants." States News Service 22 July 2011. Academic OneFile. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.

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