Circus Elephant Abuse

What was originally established in 1884 by the five Ringling Brothers was known to be The Greatest Show on Earth until they were charged with the largest civil fine in American circus history —$270,000. Animal activists and federal laws have practically forced the Ringling Brothers to eliminate the use of elephants from their circus due the their volition of the Animal Welfare Act and unequivocal evidence of the cruelty toward their animals. Due to the exposure of these cruel acts, the company decided to rule out the use of their circus elephants by the year 2018 and send them to their multi-acre central Florida Center for Elephant Conservation. The revelation of the unfortunate events that involved the psychological and physical abuse of …show more content…
This is a reminder that the life of a circus elephant varies so vastly from their natural existence. The environment circus elephants are placed into forcibly suppresses their natural instinct and prohibits the to pursue a natural daily lifestyle. These elephants not only have human care givers but the relationship between the two does not contain mutual respect which effects their development socially and neurologically throughout their lifetime. Despite their caregivers swearing that they are treated kindly and loved among their circus family, evidence from the investigation demonstrates otherwise. Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law’s Emily Beverage explains this circus’s family environment consisted of “striking elephants with a sharp implement (the bull hook) to train and discipline them, confining elephants for hours on short chains during transit and while housed in barns between performances, and forcibly removing infant calves from their mothers unnaturally early to begin training them to perform in the circus” (Seeking Legal Protection for Circus …show more content…
Most likely due to Ringling Brothers’ Kenny the elephant’s death, the Animal Welfare Board of India “has also decided to put a stop on the use of injured and aged animals at…performances” (Animal Board Disallows use of Elephants). This is a big advancement for circus animals around the globe. Not only are their issues being recognized but they are also coming to an end. Hopefully in the near future all circus animals can return to their natural habitats and no longer be subjected to the inhumanity of the entertainment industry. It may not seem like much, but India is the first of many (and hopefully all) places that will discontinue circuses and will slowly come to their senses about the immoral acts they demand these animals