It is a difficult thing to understand, this issue of "wild animals" working in a show. And it's easy to suggest one response or another because they can't speak to us to say what they truly feel.
Conversely, they do speak to us though - through their actions through their temperaments, through how they react both during a performance and offstage. Elephants, especially, are about the smartest creatures around (I swear, many of them are smarter than some of the human performers on the show)! If they are being abused, it doesn't take long to find out about it and it's very clear who is responsible. There have been such cases and trainers have been fired for it over time. The problem is that when info like that gets into the general public, it's often assumed that this is standard practice when it is not.
I get why people have become outraged over animals on the circus. We should appreciate these creatures for what they are, not the fact that they can stand on their hind legs and wave or jump through a burning hoop of fire. But your point is well taken - seeing the animals helps to develop a love and caring for them. And, being fortunate to have ridden an elephant, it is an amazing and wonderful experience... and I am endeared towards them because of it.
I think unless everyone is going to become vegan, animal abuse is part of our culture. It's just that when it comes to your groceries, you don't see it. So, between the two Ringling Circuses (yes there are two touring companies that are closing) nearly two thousand people will now be unemployed... roughly sixty of them, clowns.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2017-01-17 09:01 pm (UTC)Conversely, they do speak to us though - through their actions through their temperaments, through how they react both during a performance and offstage. Elephants, especially, are about the smartest creatures around (I swear, many of them are smarter than some of the human performers on the show)! If they are being abused, it doesn't take long to find out about it and it's very clear who is responsible. There have been such cases and trainers have been fired for it over time. The problem is that when info like that gets into the general public, it's often assumed that this is standard practice when it is not.
I get why people have become outraged over animals on the circus. We should appreciate these creatures for what they are, not the fact that they can stand on their hind legs and wave or jump through a burning hoop of fire. But your point is well taken - seeing the animals helps to develop a love and caring for them. And, being fortunate to have ridden an elephant, it is an amazing and wonderful experience... and I am endeared towards them because of it.
I think unless everyone is going to become vegan, animal abuse is part of our culture. It's just that when it comes to your groceries, you don't see it. So, between the two Ringling Circuses (yes there are two touring companies that are closing) nearly two thousand people will now be unemployed... roughly sixty of them, clowns.
That's show biz!