Circus Elephants: Putting On A Good Show But At A Price

Today, i thought i should take a break from talking about the good guys just for today, and talk about something really important... something i should have talked about before. To start off, i'll ask a few questions. Okay? Here goes...

Have you even been to a circus? No? Have you seen one then? Yes? Did you see it in a show on TV? Yes? What's the first thing you saw or realized? Did you see animals? Yes? Did you see an elephant? Yes? What was it doing or rather what was it being done to? Have i painted a clear picture now?

Circus elephants are just that, elephants. But what makes them different? Is it that they are trained to put on a good show or is it how they are trained? The circus entertainment industry has attracted a lot of bad media over the years. With animal activists lashing at their cruel ways, they have sought to change their ways. Or have they?

The circus was started way back in the 1700s and mostly uses circus animals to entertain including clown and acrobatic acts. It has since been a favorite to many. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, heard of it? I bet you've heard of them and the show, 'The Greatest Show On Earth'.  They, far more than others have received bad press and have been sued by animal groups over their supposed cruelty to Asian elephants. They however in a complete turn of events sued the activists when it was learnt that corrupt means were used. Nevertheless, we cannot fail to notice that there has been a history of cruelty to animals in the circus, and elephants have not been an exception.

Are you familiar with one famous circus elephant Jumbo? He was the first ever African elephant to be shipped into Europe alive in 1862. His was a story of how elephants close interaction with humans can be good but still end up in fatality. Despite the life he led entertaining people all over the world, his death was a tragic loss at 24 years of age  (i don't need to tell you that is a very young age) in 1885. The life he led was not that which was intended for him as a normal African male elephant would. With his intelligence and the serenity that comes with elephants, he lived well among the humans but like any other wild animal, he often expressed anger which would cause harm. This is one story that teaches us that as much as elephants can learn to live and obey humans, they are born with an inner sense of freedom that not even the strongest man can fight against.

Thousands of elephants around the world just like 'Jumbo' are captives in their own land. They may not be circus elephants but are trained to perform strenuous tasks all for man's pleasure. Whether through carrying logs, entertaining people or ferrying tourists on their backs. These acts may appear harmless at first but the actions that go into actually having them do these acts could be considered harmful. Some sanctuaries as i had highlighted have a more humane training program that helps us interacts with these animals. This is just one among the many that practice this in good faith. How many elephants out there are being used for purposes not intended for them? Shouldn't we let them be? Is there a way we can enjoy these creatures without necessarily quote and quote ''using'' them?

Circuses are just one of the ways that elephants are being used for the ''good'' of the people. Do we think about the ''good'' for them? Let's put this in thought the next time you visit a circus and see how well the elephant entertains you. Ask yourself one question, is it putting on a good show at a price?
I rest my case.