Why Is The Circus Shut Down Due To Animal Rights

In the article “PETA urges L.A. to ban all wild animals from circus performances”, Alexia Fernandez highlights the speed with which animal activists go in order to free wild animals from being used in circuses. According to the spokesman for the Ringling Bros, after L.A. “banned circuses from using bullhooks to manage elephants” in 2014, PETA activists demanded that circuses remove wild animals from their performances and Barnum & Bailey Circus begged to differ by arguing that animals in their facilities are taken good care of and are not mistreated (Fernandez, 2016). In conclusion, both sides of the arguments believe that neither is misinformed.

Zoos, SeaWorld, and circuses are places for families to enjoy entertainment. However, most people do not realize how the animals in each of these establishments are handled. Yes, they all bring in revenue and present the tricks these animals can do, yet these places preform detrimental acts to the animals. For example, the killer whales at SeaWorld are sometimes starved if they do not perform the way the trainer wants them to. In comparison, circuses torture lions and tigers until they are submissive to how the show-people want them to act. Zoos do not necessarily torture their animals, but it is proven the animals live much shorter lives in captivity. “Lives of animals in the wild versus captivity are literally worlds apart, and even the best captive facilities can’t recreate the conditions of the wild — not exactly. Most don’t even try, leaving animals in tiny enclosures with no socialization, enrichment or joy. Captivity is unnatural and unhealthy” (Sentenac). People are starting to recognize the danger of continuing these practices, but there’s a long way to go.Furthermore, animals in all of these places have suffered many traumatizing and even deadly events. There was a recent report that two circus lions, whom had severe head injuries, were killed by poachers who snuck into the sanctuary. “Last year poachers bypassed an advanced security system at a lodge near the town of Tzaneen in the Limpopo province, killing two lions by feeding them poisoned meat” (Graham).

This is good news for elephant lovers everywhere, but for the lions, tigers, monkeys, and bears it’s not something to celebrate. Although the big, colorful tents and cheery music may draw a crowd, circuses are notoriously known for the treatment of their animals, and for good reason, too. According to DoSomething.org, “virtually 96 percent of a circus animal’s life is spent in chains or cages” (“11 Facts”). These cages have no separate area for eating, sleeping or defecating, which can lead to sickness, irritability, and even death. When not performing, the time spent out of these cages is to teach the animals to perform outlandish tasks, using training methods such as whipping, food deprivation, and electric prods (“11 Facts”).

Then you wonder what happens to these animals who are sold. The animals that are sold are often sold into roadside zoos and

People have looked to these shows for family tradition, entertainment, and the lively atmosphere. Circus supporters confide in the facade that the circuses present to them: “We are committed to ensuring our animal family receives the highest standards of care. [...] Our animals receive better medical care than we do” (Ringling Bros). It is easy to believe the claims that these renowned companies tell the public, but in this case, the stories and accusations from former employees, animal welfare associations, governmental organizations, and even regular members of society should not be overlooked. It is obvious that circus animals do not live in the conditions that circuses advertise.

Think about how we will look back on our cruel forms of entertainment in the future. Will we be proud of the way we treated these great animals, with abuse as neglect? Today we turn our heads away from reality and what happens behind the scenes of animal entertainment. However, we can’t turn our heads forever. Around the world, there is so much more to animal entertainment than what meets the eye. These animals have been torn away from their beautiful, natural homes and brought to a prison of concrete. In these prisons, they are beaten, starved and tortured all for our money and entertainment. These animals lives should not be taken from them for us. Our money and happiness should not be worth these animal’s lives. Circus, theme park and zoo animals all suffer from aggression towards trainers, mental disabilities and physical injuries. These animals should not have to suffer any longer.

The article “Animal Activists Finally Have Something To Applaud At Ringling Bros. Circus: Its Closure”, by Amy B. Wang and published by The Washington Post is about Ringling Brothers and Bailey Circus coming to an end. It shows that animal rights groups have strong emotions towards abusing animals for entertainment. Shortly after Feld Entertainment (A production company and owner of Ringling Brothers and Bailey Circus) stopped using elephants but shortly after Ringling Brothers announced their permanent leave from the circus.

There are many types of animals used for entertainment such as circuses, dog fighting, zoos, and rodeos. All of these types of entertainment are not natural for these animals which is a form of abuse. Often times they are wild animals that don’t belong in cages and are not able to do things that are in their instinct to do. This is especially true about zoos and circuses. Animals are not able to roam free and instead kept in small cages. Even in optimal settings experts say that it is difficult to provide for the needs of wild animals.(Lemonick) Children should learn to respect animals and not see them as entertainment. People should only support animal free circuses and raise awareness how animals are abused for entertainment.

The Big Apple Circus, established in 1977, has not gotten rid of animals, but it is only partnering with animals that have a “traditional working relationship with man”. The Big Apple Circus “continues to explore and address the needs of performing animals and insist upon sensitivity to quality of life, both in and out the ring for all performers.” In July 2000, the Big Apple Circus stopped touring with

The question is that why would they close down the largest circus. States the circus going by railroad and that the people are increasing the price. So the company that owns the elephants said if they keep raising the price they will take their elephants away. According to the passages some people were not going without the elephants. The circus itself has been through a lot of changes in the 146 year run . The circus was once so important to people and their families but then a lot of people think that the circus is so amazing and a good place to take their kids. That their children were so happy and wanted to be a good part of it.

The life of a circus animal is hard and demanding. It is not an acceptable way of life for an animal. Circuses would quickly lose their appeal if the public were more aware of their mistreatments of these animals. Many circuses do not have much money and as a result the animals suffer from inadequate care. These animals spend most of their time in small cages used for transportation. The Animal Welfare Act provides cage requirements, but many circuses fail to follow this law. Even the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey circus was cited for 65 violations over a two-year period according to Florence Lambert. When traveling, animals spend hours, even days between sites in confinement..

Animals have been a main focus in circus performances around the world for many centuries; however, in recent history, there have been far more regulations put on the use of these creatures, stemming mainly from how they are treated by both their trainers and the circus as a whole. Whether it be on the federal or local and state-level, there has been a definite increase in the questionable legality of America’s circus industry due to the neglect and abuse of the participating animals, courts’ decisions highlighting the true importance of the issue. These rulings make one ask the question: What types of regulations could be put in place in all circuses to ensure that the animals involved are not abused in the process? In the end, many

The use for animal entertainment is cruel because they’re abused. According to The Last Chance for Animals Organization the weapons used in circus are bats, pitchforks etc. These are the things circus people use to show cruelty towards the animals. The article also states that, “these training practices generally will be hidden from public view”(Peta 1). This is saying what happens off stage are not shown on stage meaning, tortures towards animals. Physical tortures are hidden and now going into animals being sexually abused.

What do you think of when you hear the word circus? A magical place full of swirling colors, performing animals, and creepy clowns? Or maybe you think of acrobats, elephants, and trapezes? Sure, everyone loves going to the circus. Everyone loves seeing animals dance around and jump through hoops, watching the clowns do death defying stunts, or even eating peanuts and popcorn. Hearing the crowd cheer, making memories with friends of loved ones. When we are growing up we are taken to the circus to feast our eyes on the so-called performance of a lifetime. Most people at some point in their lifetime have seen or heard of a performance put on by a circus. With all of these times spent admiring wonderful performances, it is difficult for millions of people to ever think that a circus could ever be a pernicious performance. It is hard for most people to think of any negative things come out of the so-called innocent circuses. All people see is the literal act put on not only by the human performers, but the circus animals as well.

Watch out for protest in your area or places close to you that have a circus. Going to the circus and watching animals and seeing how amazing they are is great but then imagining them cooped up and sitting in trailers just isn't what we want to see. Try and support local bans for no more circus animals, make posters and show the people around you that animals shouldn't be treated like this. Things all over show you that circus animal abuse is happening daily but we're also truing to stop it, ringlingbeatsanimals.com shows us that animals are changed because of the things that are happening to them, we all need to work together standing up. Do you really want to go a Circus that beat baby animals or whips innocent tigers. Animals are forced to get hurt and can't do anything about it but we can. One of the best ways is to go to animals sanctuaries. They are much better then circuses and zoos for many reasons one would be they promise to take in and care for any animals who have been neglected, abused or abandoned. Make a change and help no one see animals in the circus