In contrast to the glitter associated with circuses, performing animals' lives are traumatic and shortlived. Because animals do not naturally ride bicycles, stand on their heads, or jump through rings of fire, whips, electric prods, and other tools are often used to force them to perform. Add to this the stress of extensive travel, confinement in dirty, undersized cages, and inadequate food and water supplies, and you have a day in the life of a circus animal.

Beatings, Starvation, Electric Shocks

Tigers and lions usually live and travel in cages 4 feet by 6 feet by 5 feet. Early in their training, according to Henry Ringling North in his book The Circus Kings, the big cats are "chained to their pedestals, and ropes are put around their necks to choke them down. They work from fear." Bears may have their noses broken while being trained or have their paws burned to force them to stand on their hind legs. A Hudson News reporter who traveled with Ringling Bros. Circus reported in an article dated Aug. 8, 1986, that the sound of a trainer's club repeatedly striking a chimpanzee as well as the chimpanzee's screams could be heard outside the arena building. Because of the enormous size and strength of elephants, trainers rely on chains and fear to make them obey. Some elephants spend almost their whole lives in chains.. In the wild, the life expectancy of elephants is 70 years, the same as ours. In the circus, they are lucky to reach the age of 25 years.

Animal Attacks

Elephants in circuses are rebelling in attempts to escape their sad existences. Since 1990, elephants have killed at least 18 people and injured many more.

In Canada elephant attacks have taken place in Quebec, Calgary, and Toronto. In 1994, an elephant killed her trainer and injured 12 spectators before being gunned down by almost 100 bullets while running terrified through downtown Honolulu. In 1994, officer Blayne Doyle, who had to shoot 47 rounds into Janet, an elephant who charged out of the Great American Circus arena, noted: "I think these elephants are trying to tell us that zoos and circuses are not what God created them for. But we have not been listening."

Ban Animal Acts

Society is progressing, and many communities are realizing that animals have no place in the circus. Because of this, and the inherent risk to public safety, many towns and cities are considering bans on animal acts. The use of animals in entertainment has already been banned in several countries, including Sweden, India, Finland, Switzerland and Denmark. Closer to home, Coquitlam and Langley in British Columbia passed bans after a flaming hoop fell on a tiger during a circus performance. The New Brunswick Shriners have stopped using animal acts for fundraising. In Nova Scotia 6 municipalities have banned animal acts, realizing the obvious problems inherent in circuses and travelling shows - extreme confinement of the animals, constant travel, the degrading images of animals that are conveyed to children, and safety risks to the public.

What you can do

Call your local city councilor, the circus promoter, and venue to voice your disapproval of animals in entertainment. And remember to patronize animal-free circuses such as the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil.