Not a rodeo, a bull fight. Now THAT is the definition of the torture and abuse of animals. I do love when matadors get gored to death on camera though. lol
As an advocate for animal rights and speaking for them that cannot, let me yell with jubilation that this abomination is gone. Elephants are perhaps more empathic than humans but that isn't the only reason. They're fellow earthlings and deserve a natural, unfettered life. As well as lions and tigers and bears plus monkeys. All of whom were stolen from their parents, tribes and homeland for foolish human entertainment.
Thank you for sharing examples for the historical record of an organization that flourished at the expense of innocent wild animals. Thank god we are moving forward, past spectacles of cruelty and suffering. Good riddance to this disgusting business.
You're right - historically, the circus was entertainment, often the only entertainment for a community. But as we have come to understand that elephants, especially, are intelligent, caring beings, the "use" of them has become unpopular (as well as other animals). Ringling Bros. stated in its press release that no longer using elephants in their acts was a big part of declining attendance. History is what it is - and hopefully, in many areas, we have come to understand (and act) differently.
AncientFaces Indeed! There are so many examples of how different things are now, but context really is everything even when examining what we now consider to be wrong. I'm pretty sure in a hundred years we, and I include myself in this, will be judged by future standards and moralities, probably harshly as well!
Sad to see them close. I always liked going to the circus. Not all the animals at the circus were abused but because of the crowd who thinks all or nothing we are now losing a lost art!
I am old enough to have seen circuses in Big Tops and I've seem two in arenas. I understand the animal part but it is an experience that my great grandchildren won't get to have.
It is a shame that we are losing the circus. While I think it is good to move on from certain animal acts, I think there are other circus acts that could keep it going. The activists should have tried to come up with solutions vs. shutting down the whole thing.
Our ancestors enjoyed the circus and I remember hearing stories of when the circus came to town. Kids could not wait to see the parade and then hope and dream that their parents would take them to see the spectacle. I was very young but, I also remember seeing a circus parade or two in the 60's. I think there are some stories about the circus train, too.
If the circus abuses animals, which do you cut and which do you keep? Save the elephants but it's ok to hurt the Tigers and the monkeys? What's the pecking order? Why protect some and not all?
There are some animal acts with dogs, cats, birds, horses. Many of which say they use rescued animals. They can also have education shows with tigers, elephants, and others that would not be considered abuse.
While it sounds good in theory, the animals would still be abused. They still claim they need to use bull hooks to keep the elephants in line. Tasers keep tigers from the front of the cage. To keep wild animals in cages and traveling on trains is abuse within itself.
While the animals would not performing per say, they would still need to be trained and corralled and that is where the abuse happens.
Even with the cats and dogs. Kennels on trains for days is awful. When does the dog get to run and play? Can you picture a cat, days on a train in a carrier? What it must do to their health!
The circus could have carried on with other, non animal shows, Cirque du Soleil makes a killing.
Stupid societal wanna be do gooders...another American Institution gone because our society feels that a safe room where nothing can hurt them ...is a lot more fun
I agree there could have been a lot more enforcement on the protection of the animals, it shouldn't mean that the circus had to be put out of business because idiots and the public "outcry" deemed it necessary to boycott and therefore take another piece of history and tradition and toss it away in favor of more kinder, gentler and pablum smeared public coddling activities like finger painting in the park.
I do not condone animal cruelty, but instead of working against the circus, there could have been a pro active alternative for both sides...so, don't tell me that I should be ok with abuse of any kind...you don't know me, if you did and actually took the time to try and ask why I posted what i did instead of jumping on my comment...you would have known what I think.....right now I think you just need to find a safe room so life can't get in and doesn't hurt your feelings
Steven, no one said the circus needed to stop. They just needed to stop the animal shows and fill in with other circus acts. They chose to only do away with the elephants while still abusing other animals. Cirque du Soleil has no problems selling out and with outrageous ticket prices.
As to me jumping on your post, it's not as if your post was so friendly. Is being rude exclusive to yourself? Cause let me tell you, I can hold my own in the department... 😇
"Are you serious a safe room where nothing hurt can them...is a lot more fun". You mean animals being abused that don't the option to leave and can't defend themselves? Are f****** kidding me? Is that the safe room you are referring too? No one said he circus had to close. They made that decision on their own they could easily have taken the animal acts out.
Having watched the circus train come to town yearly, (they unloaded right in front of my house), I believe there was some truth to the abuse.
The elephant car was packed worse than sardines. Watching how many elephants came out of those cars was unbelievable.
I once watched them threaten a tiger with a tazer like pole while the poor cat was caged. They weren't even doing anything with him. Just walked by and zapper the taser.
Poor tiger..
Maybe it wasn't as bad as the claims, but that is NOT a good life for any animal
Sad to see the end of an era. I have been to the circus a few times. My favorite was when I was eleven. The only time I got to see a traditional circus set up. It was magical. Sorry that circuses couldn't find a way to continue some how.
I saw this show in person for the first time with my son who was only 4 months old, he couldn't stop watching it, even though he was tired, I couldn't believe a baby that young would be interested but he was, Ringling Bros will be missed by further generations to come
They were in show biz. Great grandmother & grandmother were actresses & models for a couple of studios in Hollywood. Grandfather was half Cherokee/ cowboy & was in a few of Tom Mix silent films & a bootlegger too.
Peta can kiss my a**. I can see stopping abuse, that's not a problem. But the oldest circus is done. They have been trying to shut down zoos. After that whats next? A ban on hunting?eating meat? No pets? Where does it end.
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Please reach out and message us here if you have any questions, feedback, requests to merge biographies, or just want to say hi! 2020 marks 20 years since the inception of AncientFaces. We are the same team who began this community so long ago. Over the years it feels, at least to us, that our family has expanded to include so many. Thank you!