Hence, we can deduce that captive tigers are, in fact, more afraid of their handlers than the flaming rings. The most common and cruel tactic for forcing animals to perform elaborate tricks is by terrifying them with different forms of physical (and mental) punishment. that are most affected by tiny cages are lions, tigers, bears, and elephants. Natural animal behaviors are changed. When there are regimented food and medication schedules that get followed to the letter, then their health can be supported in ways that may not be possible in the wild. The modern ways to train their animal is absolutely different with the olden ways. 6 - An exhibit could be brought near you. Over prolonged periods this can result in abnormal behaviours and health problems related to anxiety. Not to mention that this process goes on for generations on end. Unfortunately, when the animals fight back, they are either shot or euthanized. They were often overworked, beaten into submission and left to less-than-average food supplies on an irregular schedule. Bull fighting practices are legal in Spain, Mexico and parts of France. RSPCA 2023. He instantly became the biggest star (both literally and figuratively) of the show. These needs simply can't be met in a travelling circus environment. Wild animals are kept captive for many reasons - find out about the difficulties of keeping wildlife. Circus demands for wild animals increase the numbers of animals removed from wild. Just take a look at some of the prior incidence of said abuse. 6/ Children are enthralled by circus animals. While in transit, the animals are confined to trailers or trucks, where they may not have access to basic necessities, such as food, water, and veterinary care. of elephants held in captivity is lameness and foot issues. Is this the lesson we want to teach our children? Whether youre studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers. Animalsin circuses are also subject to it. 9/ A ban on circus animals would be the thin end of the wedge because animal rights campaigners have a wider philosophical agenda than animal welfare. Then they go back into a cage that has barely enough space for them to take a step in any direction. Animals Asias investigation into animal circuses in Vietnam found 100% of facilities failed to meet the animals basic needs. The reason being that elephants are group animals that thrive in herds, typically composed of. Vision Launch: Pros and Cons of Animals in Captivity, Time: The Last Act of the Greatest Show on Earth. receive poor veterinary care or none at all? The easiest way to search for these petitions is by doing quick online research and by showing at least a tiny bit of support. Laws that protect traveling animals are not enforced enough to make a difference, and are highly ignored. This can arise more danger for zoo personnel, as well as visitors. Circus elephants are known to carry tuberculous, which is highly contagious for humans as a bacterial disease. These events may have been educational and exotic in the past, but it is also a challenge to escape the possibilities of cruelty in this atmosphere. Ever wondered why larger animals such as bears, tigers, and lions keep pacing back and forth in their cages? She was on the loose for over 30 minutes while officials tried to calm her down. Creating jobs for humans has moral implications when it is at the expense of animals. 18. animals in circuses pros and cons People to develop a deeper sense of empathy relationships they form bond with trainers to force animals perform. Next Pros And Cons Of Animal Cruelty They provide their animals with the best care and veterinary treatment and they make a profit from a career they love. The loud noises and crowds of people are often upsetting or frightening for performing animals. Unfortunately, after one of his performances in 1885, he was hit by a train and killed on the spot. Unfortunately, circus elephants are highly susceptible to tuberculosis due to constant, stressful transportation conditions and poor water quality. That way, the animal will not bleed during the show, and a bandage is not necessary. Now, do you remember Disneys animated movie Dumbo? Your freedom is heavier weight than economic interests or Keep the fun of the audience. Circuses are always on the move, putting the animals in cages and transporting them from state to state with little shelter from the elements. The use of animals in captivity is a controversial issue, with arguments for and against the practice. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. sharing nice thoughts. Frequently, visitors feed large animals with iconic snacks such as peanuts and popcorn."}}]}. But when Stanley Johnson and a group of politicians delivered a petition to 10 Downing Street on Wednesday, calling for a ban on wild animals in the big top, I wondered how many of them had first-hand experience of how circuses care for their animals. Pros of Animals in Captivity There are several arguments and benefits in favor of animals in captivity, some of which include: Education and awareness: Animals in captivity can be used for educational purposes and can raise awareness about different species and their conservation needs. Animals. Explain to students that the use of captive breeding programs and species-survival plans is controversial and they will explore both sides of the issue. Many animals used in circuses are bred in captivity and will spend their entire lives in close contact with humans in an unnatural, stressful environment. Often, they are confined to small spaces where they are forced to either stay sedentary or pace up and down for hours upon hours. Naturally, the constant beatings can leave ugly and painful wounds on the body that are not appealing to the visitors. Globally, Bolivia was the first country to ban the whole, Not only did Bolivia manage to ban the use of wild animals in circus performances, but the ban also included. While the intent of what zoos are trying to accomplish is good, there are still some cons to keeping these animals in captivity . Laws state that these species cannot be poached from the wild or sold for commercial purposes. Unlike most contemporary all-human circus shows, traditional circuses with animals receive no public funding and survive entirely on ticket sales. Over prolonged periods this can result in abnormal behaviours and health problems related to anxiety. 3. Cons: -Animals are forced to do the tricks. Sometimes an animal gets wounded or might not be able to survive the harsh conditions in the wild during certain seasons. Based on circus animal abuse facts, torture and cruelty do not end with wild animals. This paper provides a detailed analysis of the federal, state, and international laws that affect circus animals. Say no to animal circuses, and encourage circuses featuring only human performers! We also know that no bear bile farmers in Vietnam were able to successfully breed captive bears so where are the circus animals coming from? By the late 19th century, lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, and other animals from overseas would travel the United States, performing shows on a large scale with zoological exhibits as a marketing point. She was six years old, so she was almost 1,600 pounds off of her ideal weight. Bet you didnt know that most cages in which circus animals are kept while traveling are extremely small for the creature inside. Her full bio and clips can be seen at www.vegaswriter.com. A. lthough the UKs Government pledged to ban them in 2012, the individual Conservative MPs still repeatedly block the bills. Sign up and we will email you daily with the best of our political and news coverage while also giving you a taste of our most-popular lifestyle, opinion and personal blogs. Finding suitable homes for former circus animals is difficult. Second, animals in captivity are often subject to cruel and inhumane treatment, including being fed an unnatural . Humans, especially smaller children, can contract tuberculosis while at the circus! Jumbo, the worlds largest circus elephant, was hit by a train after being led to his stall after a show. Animals such as camels will spend their time in animal tents, in fenced-off areas or tethered to graze. Required fields are marked *. There are plenty of circuses that can provide people with entertainment while providing the animals in their care a safe and healthy life. 1. When animal activists began protesting this form of entertainment in the 1960s, many circuses would go out of business or merge with other companies. Due to the increasing extinction rates among tigers and elephants, breeding these creatures in captivity may help preserve the species. Seeing animals abused on stage only teaches people that animals are here for human entertainment and that we can treat them in any way we please, regardless of their emotions and needs. . Plus, every circus, including animal accommodation, is on continual show to the public. More often than not, these animals show signs of incredibly painful ailments, ranging from mere physical abuse to mental health issues. webpages articles every day along with a mug of coffee. Animals should be banned in circuses. Opponents argue that animal circus acts are demeaning to animals and do not teach children how to appreciate and respect wild animals. It was started in London by horse-rider Philip Astley, and although the global success of Cirque du Soleil proves circus can flourish without animals, surely there should be room in the land of its creation for a few well-run and regulated shows that keep alive the entertainment in its most pure form, with a mixture of human and animal acts. Some cultural traditions are founded upon animal exploitation for entertainment purposes. The wild animals used to perform in circuses have the same needs as they would in the wild. They needed some respite from their harsh reality, and the circus was a perfect fit. Restricting animal use in a circus show could be viewed as an infringement on an individuals right to enjoy animal acts. Just think of Gus, a polar bear kept in Central Park Zoo, who, in the mid-1990s, worried spectators as he obsessively swam up and down his tiny pool, sometimes even for. The problem with many animal-based circuses is that they run on tight budgets and take shortcuts on the care they must provide. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Even though circuses in Cyprus, Greece, Bolivia, and Malta have banned the use of all animals (both wild and domestic), some countries still won't budge.\n\nThe US, France, and the UK are at the top of the list of countries that still use animals in shows. The Radford Report in the UK found in 2006 after a six-month study of circuses, with the full participation of proponents and critics of this debate, that they were just as capable as any other captive environment to meet the welfare needs of animals in their care. Of course, from the audiences perspective, the show might seem like an awe-inspiring performance starring some of the most exotic and wild creatures known to man. Have students list positive and negative aspects of each in a worksheet. They are stripped of their natural habitats, and most may never see their families ever again. Using animals for entertainment means that the animals are being taken advantage of, suffering, and even dying, for the amusement and pleasure of onlookers. Circuses train wild animals to perform unnatural acts for human amusement. This includes elephants and moon bears. , this is tragic, to say the least. We empower you to efficiently solve each new challenge and make your life better and easier. The loud noise of the music, the cheers of the crowd and the dizzying lights all disorientate and cause stress to wild animals. They also dine and use the restroom in the same little area. Examples of unnatural tricks these animals are forced to perform would be the common 'dancing . The company responsible for Heather also got in trouble when workers beat a baby elephant named Mickey in front of a live audience. It is illegal to euthanize endangered species for no reason. Animals in Circuses and 15 Facts Why They Should Be Banned 1. Every cat and dog owner knows their pet enjoys playing with humans, and it's no different for a horse or a lion. Animals in the wild are endangered by human predators and shrinking habitats, and live short, dangerous lives. There are specific guidelines and regulations that must be followed. Critics argue that animals in captivity may suffer from stress and confinement and that they may not be able to express their natural behaviors. that cannot take beatings anymore end up hurting humans and are eventually put down soon after. Cons. The Pros and Cons of Zoos for Wildlife Conservation As years have passed since the world's first scientific zoo was opened to the public in 1828 in London, a lot of things have changed for the better (Gray . The loud noise of the music, the cheers of the crowd and the dizzying lights all disorientate and cause stress to wild animals . Having investigated the matter in great depth for my book, Circus Mania, I changed my mind and would like to present 10 reasons why the show - with animals - should go on. Circus animals receive food, shelter and veterinary care. According to upsetting facts on circus cruelty, lions and tigers with a white coat can only be produced by father to daughter or sister to brother inbreeding. Animals in captivity are deprived of many things that are important to them, as a result they become lonely and bored. Generations of people have brought their children to co wild circus animals. Bet you didnt know that most cages in which. Pros: Trained animal acts are entertaining and can educate people about different species. It offers another avenue to consider for breeding programs. The circus is a cultural tradition in the United States and throughout the world. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Opines that ringling bros 2010, circus animal abuse, video, youtube, october 23, viewed 26 march 2014; nova 2014, what are animals thinking - are animal; Cites alatola, e, the ethics of animal circuses, animal law guide 2010, the law society of new south wales young lawyers. Although the UK's Government pledged to ban them in 2012, the individual Conservative MPs still repeatedly block the bills. The same gene responsible for the white coat is also linked with the optic nerve, wiring it to the wrong side of the brain. 5. Circus animals are forced to live in a cage, travel extensively and exist in an unnatural environment. In circuses, animals are made to perform unnatural tricks which no individual would willingly carry out. Circus animals are transported from location to location in cramped conditions. / Exotic Animals in Entertainment: the Pros and Cons Essay Sample. Not only did Bolivia manage to ban the use of wild animals in circus performances, but the ban also included domestic animals such as dogs and donkeys. It is a much different tale when you look at Indian organizations that provide elephant shows to tourists. A recent report commissioned by the Welsh Government concluded that "Life for wild animals in travelling circuses - doesn't appear to constitute either a 'good life' or a 'life worth living'". Hermina believes that every day is a chance to learn something new about the obscure world around us. They tend to use the funds from ticket sales to further preservation of animals in the world. The average life expectancy of a tiger in captivity is 26 years compared to 15 in the wild. China has banned animal circuses and Bolivia has banned live animals from travelling circuses. Most circus trainers act ethically and responsibly with their animals. Circuses are just as capable as zoos for caring for animals. as part of a . In 2006, the last Labour government commissioned a six-month study of circus animals, with full participation by circuses and anti-circus campaigners, and concluded that circuses were as capable as other captive environments, such as zoos, of meeting the welfare needs of the animals in their care. Unfortunately, this was the case with Cholita, an Andean bear illegally kept at a famous circus in Peru, now thriving in the wild. Pros. Even then, any animal that is forced to do tricks as a way to generate applause is one that is being potentially abused for the sake of human income. Managing exotic animals is tricky. There can be educational opportunities with a well-run circus. Generations of people have brought their children to. . Animals in circus (elephants, lions) are endangered species. Hopefully, this article helped you realize that what we, humans, are doing is extremely wrong and unfair towards our fellow living beings. France: General ban on the use of wild animals as of 2028. Additionally, alternatives to animal captivity, such as virtual reality and online resources should be considered and used whenever possible. NerdySeal . There have been seven prosecutions of circus trainers in 130 years; a tiny minority of the trainers who worked blamelessly in that time. The Animal Welfare Act looks out for the. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); are not treated like the stars they are. These enraged elephants attacked pedestrians, destroyed buildings, and even severely injured some people. On the other hand, elephants in the circus or zoo are given straw, branches, and hay. Even though circuses in Cyprus, Greece, Bolivia, and Malta have banned the use of all animals (both wild and domestic), some countries still wont budge. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. People paid their hard-earned coins to hawkers who promised a moments entertainment. Pros And Cons Of Zoos . 8. I dont know who you are but certainly youre going to a famous blogger if you Some cultural traditions are founded upon animal exploitation for entertainment purposes. This cruel method is shown in Petas undercover video, which depicts the treatment of large animals. Many animals develop behavioural and/or health problems as a direct result of the captive life that they're forced to lead. The average life. Circus animals are often transported over large distances with circuses in Indonesia eventransporting dolphinsby truck and plane which is clearly unsuitable for the species. 1. Arguments Against Zoos . Examples of when people use animals . Our investigations in Asia have uncovered moon bears riding motorbikes, macaques riding dogs and orangutans spinning plates. Initially this is done with violence, then with the promise of food. 1. If an animal is found in the wild wounded and unable to return to its original environment, a circus can humanely take care of and display them to the benefit of the animal and the education of the public. 10/ The circus is a 250-year-old art form that Britain gave to the world. The co-developer of The Simpsons, Sam Simon, bought zoos and circuses and shut them down. The sooner people realize this, the better. Safe as in protected from poachers, predators, habitat loss and even starvation. That means they spend most of their lives in close contact with humans. 1. Sometimes they even harm themselves. , specifically tigers, these animals have. Since 2000, there have been over 35 serious cases of elephants escaping circuses and running wild through city streets. Were you aware that tigers are actually semi-nocturnal creatures that are only active during the nighttime? suffered the disease after getting too close to an ill elephant. does not only involve beatings and confinement to small spaces. Once upon a time, a circus was a place where the most astonishing events, animals and entertainers could be seen by people who spent most of their time working to survive. Wild circus animals are usually captive-bred, but this doesn't mean that they're tame. Most itinerary stops are not inspected even though there are USDA minimum standards of care in the United States. Fortunately, there are plenty of petitions out there against. Seeing the skill and intelligence of animals at close quarters can only foster admiration and respect for other species. Lets cut to the chase. That equates to animal cruelty. Our US tax identification number is 31-1802788. Or watch an elephant balance on a ball as it leads its pace to a water source in the savannah? 12. The circus business is all about selling as many tickets as possible, cutting corners, and ensuring that the show goes on no matter what. It is well documented that elephants are forced to perform these actions by being beaten with bullhooks, while young elephants are savagely constrained and beaten in a process known as the crush, which breaks their spirit and forces them to comply. 5. Circus animals endure abuse to such a great extent that they may start losing their hair, teeth, or both due to high levels of mental and physical stress. Unfortunately, this was the case with Cholita, an Andean bear illegally kept at a famous circus in Peru, now thriving in the wild. The key to a successful experience is to provide the animals with enough space to live comfortably while traveling, and then providing an enclosure that simulates their natural habitat with as much space as possible.