The United States is considering a ban on the use of wild animals in traveling circuses. The ban already exists in many countries throughout the world.
While the circuses of ancient Greece and Rome featured trained animals, circuses originally began with acts by jugglers, acrobats, trapeze artists, tightrope walkers and clowns. In other words, the performers were human. The only animals sometimes used were horses.
Circus animals live in deplorable and often abusive conditions. Animals are “convinced” to perform with the use of whips, prods, (sometimes electrified), hooks with sharp ends, collars, muzzles and other tools.
The animals live in cages most of their lives and are often shackled with short chains to limit movement. They are forced to travel, usually by railroad, which can be a frightening experience for a wild animal. Animals often spend more than a day eating, sleeping, defecating in the same cars and cages without any relief. They suffer from extreme temperature changes traveling to different parts of the country.
No matter what conditions wild animals are kept in, it is stressful and inhumane for the animals who can’t use their natural instincts and live free in their native environment.
Sometimes, when animals live in such stressful situations, their instincts do take over and they lash out in an attempt to relieve their pain and frustration and free themselves. Big cats and elephants have turned on their trainers and in trying to run from their fear, have escaped and terrorized communities. Sadly the results for the animals is death.
We ask you to contact your Representatives and Senators and urge them to pass laws banning the use of wild animals in circuses. You can also help by boycotting circuses that use animals. Let’s go back to the time when human performers made circuses fun and exciting enough.
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