Riding bikes. Jumping through hoops. Standing
on one’s head. Dancing. These are things animals in the wild
never do.
Animals used in circuses lead extremely stressful and unnatural
lives, and are usually beaten and otherwise abused while they are
being trained. Lions, tigers, bears, and elephants are wild animals;
they will never be completely predictable when performing these
unnatural, difficult, and often painful stunts. Trainers use brute
force to maintain a position of dominance through fear and humiliation.
And when animals are not being trained or performing, they are confined
in tiny cages, railroad cars, or trucks for up to 50 weeks each
year.
Some defend animal acts with the notion that they entertain children
who may never otherwise have a chance to see these animals. But
what message does the children take away? Surely it is not one of
compassion and respect.
The cruel circus existence is no life for a wild animal.
