Keep Animals Out of the Circus: Freedom for Animals

A web page by Freedom for Animals

Animals in Circuses: Dying to Entertain You

Hidden Cruelty

Animals used in circuses live a dismal life of domination, confinement, and violent training. It is standard practice to beat, shock, and whip animals to make them perform ridiculous tricks that they cannot comprehend.

Most elephants used by circuses were captured in the wild. Once removed from their families and natural habitat, their lives consist of little more than chains and intimidation. Baby elephants born in breeding farms are torn from their mothers, tied with ropes, and kept in isolation until they learn to fear their trainers.

The circus deprives animals of their basic needs to exercise, roam, socialize, forage, and play. Stereotypic behaviors such as swaying back and forth, head-bobbing, pacing, bar-biting, and self-mutilation are common signs of mental distress.

“But for the use of physical punishment by their oppressors, animals would never be a part of a circus.”
- Richard Pryor

Animals in circuses are hauled around the country in poorly ventilated trailers and boxcars for up to 50 weeks a year in all kinds of extreme weather conditions. Access to the basic necessities of food, water, and veterinary care is often inadequate.

Animal Attacks

Using dangerous animals in performances jeopardizes public safety and often puts children at greatest risk. Since 1990, 95 people have been killed and more than 260 seriously injured by captive elephants and felines.*

In 1993, Tyke, a 20-year-old elephant who had been in confinement for years, tried to leave during a Shrine Circus performance. She broke two of her handler's ribs but didn't succeed in escaping. On August 20, 1994, while in Hawaii, Tyke again tried to escape from the people forcing her to perform. Terrified and confused, she trampled her trainer to death and injured a dozen spectators as she broke out of the tent.

Tyke was shot and killed several blocks from the circus.

* Contact PETA for documentation: info@peta-online.org