The Shrine Circus is in town, so I just walked down to the civic center on my lunch hour today. They had the animals and trailers tied out in the parking lot behind the center.

I didn't see any barriers or signs, so I simply walked through the maze of trailers, turned a corner, and there they were. Three elephants, fenced off in a wire pen so small its doubtful all of them could make a full turn. I was truly struck by the sight of the elephant closest to me. All of the elephants were engaging in repetitive movements, but she was the worst. She looked ancient, with the skin around her head sunken in. She also appeared to have the prolapse(?) some of the female ele's have. She spent the entire time I watched her weaving back and forth, back and forth. I was so distracted by the sight, I forgot to take out my camera. An employee then approached me and told me I had to move behind a partition, which I did.

From this area (about 100 ft. away from the pen) I was able to snap a few pictures. I don't know if they will turn out--it was a distance away and my hands were shaking a bit. I also left rather hastily, because I didn't like the looks the carnies were giving me, and only a few random derelects were standing around observing the goings-on. I can tell you these girls were in far worse shape than the single elephant I looked at while checking an outfit last summer.

As you could imagine, it was a real downer. I've been feeling fairly depressed after seeing her. I often wonder how someone could look upon a scene this bleak and thing nothing at all is wrong.

Thank You Peace!! I love you! I tell you I love you and give you hugs because I think anyone who sees what the elephants and any circus animal lives like needs a hug and needs to be told that someone loves them. :hug: It's a depressing thing to see. It's depressing to think that so many people can see this and just not "get it". You get it, Peace and for that - you are a wonderful person.

THANK YOU for speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves! :angel:

Please post your pics!

How can one effectively protest the circus? Ringling Bros is coming to our nearest city soon (or currently, I'm not sure, I've just seen TV ads).

Ludi - it depends on where you live. If you want to PM me, I can most probably hook you up with a group. Another option is to contact PETA or IDA (In Defense of Animals) if you are not big on PETA. But really, PETA would be the best bet.

Thank you bunches. I will post the pics as soon as they are developed. I only have 2 more pics on the roll, so that should be soon.
Only an hour or so after I saw the ele's, I was back at work and one of my coworkers was discussing the upcoming circus with a customer who had purchased a ticket. He was talking about how "nice" and "fun" the circus is. Needless to say, I was cringing inside and all I could see was that poor, elderly elephant swaying back in forth. So nice, so fun. :cry:

I get so depressed about circus elephants. It's beyond comprehension that these animals live whole lives of cruelty and abuse, just so someone can watch them at a show for half an hour. Do these people even THINK about what goes on behind the scenes? Why are these (wild) animals in an unnatural environment, so far from their natural habitats, performing unnatural acts? Why don't people question this stuff?? It annoys me that people take their kids to circuses with animals. Kids love seeing animals, but they're being taught from such a young age that it is normal to use animals for entertainment. It teaches them that this is what the animal's purpose is!

Whenever I go to Thailand, I get SO depressed and frustrated when I see elephants chained up and displaying stressed, repetitive behaviours. And watching the bunch of tourists come along, who SEE the elephants chained up and living in squalor. Then paying the elephant owner money to ride on these beautiful, majestic animals that have been reduced to miserable, depressed slaves. And these tourists all think they are experiencing some kind of "authentic" Thai culture by riding on them. Yeah right!!! Idiots.... :down:

Not to say we shouldn't be concerned about circus animals or anything like that, but last year I went with my (then :() boyfriend to see Ringling Bros. circus, and we went down to where the animals were. The elephants were in a huge space, able to walk around, eat hay, and were doing so, completely content. No chains on their feet or anything, except the biggest one (probably their alpha male) had one thing on one of his feet as a precaution, but it was pretty long and even he could move around completely at will. Am I saying all laces are like this- unfortunetely I can't. But I took a class once with someone who works for them, caring for the elephants, and much care is taken. They have a huge reservation somewhere for all their elephants, because they take turns in the shows (or something like that).

Not to say we shouldn't be concerned about circus animals or anything like that, but last year I went with my (then :() boyfriend to see Ringling Bros. circus, and we went down to where the animals were. The elephants were in a huge space, able to walk around, eat hay, and were doing so, completely content. No chains on their feet or anything, except the biggest one (probably their alpha male) had one thing on one of his feet as a precaution, but it was pretty long and even he could move around completely at will. Am I saying all laces are like this- unfortunetely I can't. But I took a class once with someone who works for them, caring for the elephants, and much care is taken. They have a huge reservation somewhere for all their elephants, because they take turns in the shows (or something like that).
PLEASE! That is such bullsh*T!!! These statements are crap. They have a "reserve" somewhere? Yea! They have a place where they BREED their elephants to keep their stock. They do NOT take turns after the shows, they travel all year long. How would you like to be chained for most of your life, prodded with cow prods, beaten with bullhooks, had your babies ripped away from you at a very young age so they can peform when in the wild, they stay with you for all their lives, give birth chained by 3 legs - to "protect" the baby (geez, wonder where they find chains in the wild)

Guess what - you see exactly what Ringling wants you to see. Get educated about what Ringlings really do to their elephants. If you want some links, I can provide some - specifically you should read: "Government Sanctioned Abuse"

RINGLING SUCKS!

Noelson, I am saying what i saw, what i was told by a personal acquaintance associated with the process and what I read in a pamphlet given by the organization when i was there. I also did say it was over a year ago. I also did say I was not defending the entire circus business, and was not saying not to be concerned, if you completely read my post.

My intent was to point out that circumstances vary. If you are not willing to hear other insights/ personal accounts, you would do well to keep your own to yourself as well. If you want someone to understand your POV you must be a little more respectful than "PLEASE! That is such bullsh*T!!! These statements are crap." Hearing that from someone only expresses that what follows should be taken with every possible grain of salt. That is indeed no way to present statistical and/or authoritative data, if you have any such data to present with a civil tongue.

Wrong - because what you said was bull. You read what Ringling wants you to know!! Of course they are going to give you pamphlets and tell you how great they treat their animals - I expect nothing less from them. The REALITY is different. If you think that things were great a year ago, it was not. This has been going on for decades.

ETA: and as far as my POV about Ringlings which is backed up by FACTS, I don't plan on ever not speaking out on this board or any other board about them. The elephants and all their animals deserve no less.

Let me know if you want to read the facts - I will supply links

Wrong - because what you said was bull. You read what Ringling wants you to know!! Of course they are going to give you pamphlets and tell you how great they treat their animals - I expect nothing less from them. The REALITY is different. If you think that things were great a year ago, it was not. This has been going on for decades.

ETA: and as far as my POV about Ringlings which is backed up by FACTS, I don't plan on ever not speaking out on this board or any other board about them. The elephants and all their animals deserve no less.

Let me know if you want to read the facts - I will supply links


I said what I read. Not that it was absulute truth, not that it was Gospel. FYI I believe animals are God's creatures and are in no way specifically for human disposal. That is why I do not eat them or wear them.

In all honesty, I firmly encourage you to speak your mind. But please bear in mind to use a civil and courteous tongue, thank you. I am not unwilling to read up on accurate facts, but right now, given your attitude, it is honestly not worth my time. No matter what you are trying to say, people will respond better to a willingly patient and courteous informant.

I said what I read. Not that it was absulute truth, not that it was Gospel. FYI I believe animals are God's creatures and are in no way specifically for human disposal. That is why I do not eat them or wear them.

In all honesty, I firmly encourage you to speak your mind. But please bear in mind to use a civil and courteous tongue, thank you. I am not unwilling to read up on accurate facts, but right now, given your attitude, it is honestly not worth my time. No matter what you are trying to say, people will respond better to a willingly patient and courteous informant.

Interesting! You believe what you believe (that they are all gods creatures) but yet you will go to a circus with animals and then tell us how much space they had and they seemed content. I am not being sarcastic when I say I find that fascinating.

I once knew a child molester who treated his victims great - gave them chocolates and candy and let them play video games. Guess, like Ringling, he wasn't so bad after all....

From Girlies CBS and Ringling Thread in the Activism/Alerts section: http://www.ktvu.com/video/4936923/detail.html

Ringling is nowhere near good for any animals. The are poorly treated and abused slaves.

ST - yes they are - it's so sad :(

RC - I appologize - but I cannot appologize for my feelings about Ringling.

Nothing is substitute to freedom

I am not saying I am a regular patron of it or anything. I went with my boyfriend and his family because they got the tickets for his Grandma's birthday. Who am i to say, "you know you guys, you should look up the animals." She was like seventy something, hadn't been to the circus in years and expressed she would like to go for her birthday. The last time she went, it was probably long enough ago that the issues weren't present.

Circus's have always been abusive toward animals. I can't think of one that isn't (that has animals). Just something to be aware of looking forward. I hope your gramma had fun anyhow though.

On a side note, I've always wanted to go to Circus De Sole (I may have just spelled that wrong) the animal free one.

Circus's have always been abusive toward animals. I can't think of one that isn't (that has animals). Just something to be aware of looking forward. I hope your gramma had fun anyhow though.

On a side note, I've always wanted to go to Circus De Sole (I may have just spelled that wrong) the animal free one.

You mean Cirque De Soleil? They're in Las Vegas now! :bow:

It was my then-bf's grandma. But yea, I am not implying at all that I frequent them by any means.

I think it is cirque du soleil, i am not sure. Something like that.

Yeah, my spelling is for crap. :p That's what I meant. I'd love to see that show but it was so expensive when it came to town here.

Isn't it on TV once in a while? It was either A&E or Bravo i think. But that is not tha same as live.

French words are tricky to spell. I don't speak French.

Wow, this thread has gotten much longer since my pics were developed. here they are.

http://www.veggieboards.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=6742&catid=newimages The elephant on the far right on this picture was the one who broke my heart. All of them were engaging in abnormal movements, but she was the worst. She is in mid-head swing in this image. Notice how emaciated she looks.

http://www.veggieboards.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=6743&c=newimages On this pic you can see how the one elephant's backbone is sticking up. Her legs also seem very thin. You can also see the papilloma(sp?) she has.

http://www.veggieboards.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=6744&c=newimages The circus also had several horses, ponies, and camels tied closely to the trailers. Here were the two closest to me. I also peeked inside a trailer lined floor-to-ceiling with small cages of dogs. I couldn't see the dogs, but they were barking like crazy.

You should turn the elephant pics over to someone so they can investigate and maybe save that elephant..maybe the Humane Society? If no one helps him/her soon I'm afraid it will die. :(

Wouldn't unhealthy animals hurt their business and then make them be humane? I mean, if they're all into the business. Human stars get whatever they want/"need" in order to perform. Even people who endorse the circus don't want to see sickly animals. So why don't they be humane at least to help their business? Not to say that would make everything better, just saying. A sick elephant would cost them more money, because it will die soon and they will have to buy another one, and train it and such. Whereas keeping what they have happy and healthy, they will save that money and probably make more from a bigger audience. If they are so bent on making money frm performing animals, looks like healthy and happy animals would bring in more.

Wouldn't unhealthy animals hurt their business and then make them be humane? I mean, if they're all into the business. Human stars get whatever they want/"need" in order to perform. Even people who endorse the circus don't want to see sickly animals. So why don't they be humane at least to help their business? Not to say that would make everything better, just saying. A sick elephant would cost them more money, because it will die soon and they will have to buy another one, and train it and such. Whereas keeping what they have happy and healthy, they will save that money and probably make more from a bigger audience. If they are so bent on making money frm performing animals, looks like healthy and happy animals would bring in more.

This is a good point and does make sense and that is also what they say. Well, they can say their elephants are healthy but they could care less if they are happy AND are they really healthy? Because it's the training and the day to day life that is lousy hence being in the circus is lousy. We need to ask ourselves - How on earth can they get (for instance) the largest land mammal in the world weighing over 8,000 lbs and standing over 8 feet to do the tricks they have them do. It's unnatural to have an elephant stand on their head, do the long mount, roll on a ball, etc etc. They don't do those tricks because they want to - because if they don't they know they will be beaten. We need to ask ourselves, how much space do they require. Elephants are "made" to travel long distances in the wild. Anyone can say well they don't need to walk long distances in a circus but their bodies and minds are designed for travelling. Arthritis is zoo and circus elephants is prevelant. Elephants are subjected to blowtorches to remove the coarse hairs so the "show girls" don't ruin their dresses. They are beaten with bullhooks, chained, and made to travel day after day. What a crappy life

In the end, they are not "that" healthy and definitely NOT happy.

Wild cats in cages? Bears in cages? There is a particularily sad video of where the bears (of Carson and Barnes) go for the winter quarters that would just break your heart.

On this same video, Tim Frisco is shown teaching new "trainers" how to beat the elephants.