The act of holding wild animals in captivity, specifically for the purpose of entertainment has led many people to associate their abnormal behaviors to psychological suffering. Local zoos and aquariums seem to draw most of the attention from the general public about captive wild animal rights and welfare; however, many forget that traveling circuses are just as much at fault. Coming into one’s hometown once or twice a year, the traditional circus puts on a ‘spectacular show’ using wild animals as part of the main attractions. In essence, they serve as the living props for the actors and actresses that run the show. Among these animals, the most iconic of them all, are the Asian and African elephants. Generations of Americans have come to know
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In Bradshaw and Lindner’s paper, they characterize PTSD as a, “…condition that describes anxiety based responses to life-threatening events,” (1). Those who suffer from PTSD can live normal lives; however, sudden flashbacks of the traumatic event they experienced can be triggered by a sound, smell, or visual cue. Like humans, elephants also suffer from traumatic stressors. These triggers include: wild young elephants being taken away from their families, harsh treatment, and restriction to small enclosures or chains. When baby elephants are torn away from their families they often experience physical abuse. They also often witness their own family members beaten and murdered; this is very traumatic for them. Traumatized elephants are more vulnerable to disease as well as psychological and behavioral dysfunction. When captured for the purpose of circus entertainment, elephants lack the tight knit communities that they live and interact in naturally. Their herds help them cope with and recover from traumatic events (Bradsaw, Lindner 1-2). Because of the lack of social bonds, the bond between the trainers and caregivers of the elephants is very important. However, for the most part, this relationship is one in which the circus staff members dominate over the elephant causing more trauma, fear, and harm (Bradshaw 16). According to Bradshaw, some may even suffer from …show more content…
They are displaying symptoms like: hyperaggression, depression, abnormal social responses, and asocial behaviors (Jaynes 85). Elephants are also showing behaviors like self-mutilation and stereotypy. Stereotypy is repetitive abnormal movements like head-bobbing, pacing, and trunk weaving (Bradshaw, Lindner 2). Boredom, fear, and lack of exercise all contribute to unnatural behaviors and damage to the psychological health (Jaynes 89-90). There was an assessment conducted by Dr. Marion Garai on the welfare and condition of a female circus elephant named Mausi. He observed a variety of symptoms that led him to believe that she had PTSD. Mausi suffered from frustration, lack of a social partner, and pain. All of these triggers contributed to her chronic stress. Garai also observed stereotypies in the female elephant; she displayed weaving and head bobbing. These behaviors can be attributed to Mausi’s circus experience. As noted by Garai, the elephant is smaller than other elephants her size which can be attributed to extreme stress. She has numerous physical ailments that include trouble walking due to circus stunts and long periods of standing on hard or very wet ground (Garai 3-4, 6). The assessment of Mausi provides a small preview of what many circus elephants suffer from on a daily
In Bradshaw and Lindner’s paper, they characterize PTSD as a, “…condition that describes anxiety based responses to life-threatening events,” (1). Those who suffer from PTSD can live normal lives; however, sudden flashbacks of the traumatic event they experienced can be triggered by a sound, smell, or visual cue. Like humans, elephants also suffer from traumatic stressors. These triggers include: wild young elephants being taken away from their families, harsh treatment, and restriction to small enclosures or chains. When baby elephants are torn away from their families they often experience physical abuse. They also often witness their own family members beaten and murdered; this is very traumatic for them. Traumatized elephants are more vulnerable to disease as well as psychological and behavioral dysfunction. When captured for the purpose of circus entertainment, elephants lack the tight knit communities that they live and interact in naturally. Their herds help them cope with and recover from traumatic events (Bradsaw, Lindner 1-2). Because of the lack of social bonds, the bond between the trainers and caregivers of the elephants is very important. However, for the most part, this relationship is one in which the circus staff members dominate over the elephant causing more trauma, fear, and harm (Bradshaw 16). According to Bradshaw, some may even suffer from …show more content…
They are displaying symptoms like: hyperaggression, depression, abnormal social responses, and asocial behaviors (Jaynes 85). Elephants are also showing behaviors like self-mutilation and stereotypy. Stereotypy is repetitive abnormal movements like head-bobbing, pacing, and trunk weaving (Bradshaw, Lindner 2). Boredom, fear, and lack of exercise all contribute to unnatural behaviors and damage to the psychological health (Jaynes 89-90). There was an assessment conducted by Dr. Marion Garai on the welfare and condition of a female circus elephant named Mausi. He observed a variety of symptoms that led him to believe that she had PTSD. Mausi suffered from frustration, lack of a social partner, and pain. All of these triggers contributed to her chronic stress. Garai also observed stereotypies in the female elephant; she displayed weaving and head bobbing. These behaviors can be attributed to Mausi’s circus experience. As noted by Garai, the elephant is smaller than other elephants her size which can be attributed to extreme stress. She has numerous physical ailments that include trouble walking due to circus stunts and long periods of standing on hard or very wet ground (Garai 3-4, 6). The assessment of Mausi provides a small preview of what many circus elephants suffer from on a daily