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When you see the animals in circuses they perform some incredible feats, but how are they trained to do that? Most of the tricks these animals appear to do involve the something that they are naturally afraid of and have to be trained to do. But how are they being trained; are the training methods of the circuses done using proper practice. What methods are the circuses using to make the animals do tricks that involve things they naturally fear.
There have been times when circus animals have been beaten or shocked their animals in order to make them do the stunts they want them to do. The animals are beaten and shocked to do these stunts because the tricks they are doing are not “natural”. So in order for these animals to perform such acts they need to be shocked and beaten to the point to where they are doing it out of fear. These animals are also deprived of what they all do in the wild, roam around. In fact these animals spend nearly 96% of their lives in chains or cages. This is very detrimental to their health, especially the health of elephants, who need tons of area to roam to remain healthy. These animals also have to deal with some harsh conditions throughout their year of travel and performing. Since these circuses operate for nearly 11 months of the year, the performing anim
als are almost always kept in one cage where they eat, sleep, and defecate.
When it comes time for the off-season for the circuses for these animals are forced to live in small crates. Living in such small crates is quite detrimental to both the mental and physical health of these animals. Since they are naturally active, being enclosed in such tight quarters inhibits the animals from being healthy and maintaining a healthy diet/weight. The small, tight quarters also effects the mentally. Being in such small spaces for such long periods of time, these animals eventually start to exhibit unnatural behavior such as swaying and pacing.
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In conclusion, yes animals in circuses are being treated quite poorly. Whether it is physical abuse or being kept in tiny cages leading to emotional problems for these animals. Its sad to think that these people can just not care at all about these animals and can treat them the way they do. This has been happening for a long time, and nothing has seemed to changed. But is there anything we can do to protect these animals, if so what is it?
It is sad and unlawful that humans treat animals this way. People know it has been happening for a long time yet there has not been anything to stop these people. I feel like lately people are becoming more aware that animals we watch for entertainment are getting abused behind scenes. People really became aware when the movie Blackfish (a documentary about the abuse of killer whales at Sea World) came out in 2013. You can watch the documentary Here , where it tells the tragic tale of how the killer whales have to live for our entertainment. After this movie came out, many people stood up to the cause to spread the word on this animal cruelty, and now in 2015, SeaWorld are not allowed to breed any more Whales . I think this is a prime example that we can protect these animals to a certain extent if we really set our minds to it. I think this whole outcome with helping the killer whales at Sea World shows the public that people are abusing animals, but we have the power to stop it. SeaWorld isn’t technically a circus, but it is an example of how people abuse animals for entertainment. Hopefully since people recognized this problem with SeaWorld, they will soon realize the abuse circuses are causing to elephants, and also take action on that as well.
It’s unfortunate that this is actually a problem and it is sad to see animals suffer like this. It reminds me of other instances of animal abuse in zoos, sea world, and yes even slaughterhouses where pigs are kept in gestation crates so tight and narrow that they can’t even move. As entertaining as a circus or zoo may be, animals are not meant to be kept in enclosed areas just for our own amusement. It can cause damage to their internal organs and other health related problems can occur when animals are kept in cages where their own fecal matter is in the same space.
Nice blog, someone had to give recognition to these unfortunate facts. It’s clear that the circus animals environment and general treatment are quite poor. As I read, I wondered what they’re feed and if they’re feed enough to maintain good health. I looked into my question and didn’t find anything conclusive. Just many stories or cases of circus animals being underfeed or feed contaminated food.