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The Positive Reinforcement Of Circus Animals

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The circus is one of a classic image, elephants lumbering trunk to tail. But is this docility born of positive reinforcement, or the fear of being beaten? When the yearly circus comes to town, it has but one thing in mind, entertainment. Both the stunts of animals and humans alike are mesmerizing and capture the audience's attention. Spectator’s become amazed at the miraculous accomplishments of the animals, and they are willing to pay mass amounts of money to see wild animals outside of their natural habits. But, circuses are not what they seem, the animals needs are not sustained, they are not taken into consideration. What many fail to realize is that the performing animals are not acting out of love, but instead they provide entertainment …show more content…

Just moments after being born baby animals are ripped away from the clutches of their nurturing mothers. As seen in this video______________. Not only are these magnificent creatures raised without a mother, but when they are in training physical punishment is common. Almost immediately following their birth babies are forced to endure the “correction process.” This is when circus employees will chain the newborn down and repeatedly beat the animal to break their free-willed spirit. Bullhooks, electric prods, pitchforks, clubs, and whips are just the beginning of the inhumane instruments used to “tame” these animals. Unlike domesticated animals, there is no positive reinforcement when a trick is performed correctly. There is only varying levels of neglect, punishment, and abuse. No animal wishes to balance on a ball, jump through hoops, or even parade around in sparkling attire, these humiliating tricks of the circus are not done willinging, and none of these pointless acts would be executed in their natural environment. The only reason spectators see circus animals perform is because they are afraid of what will happen to them if they do

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