Rings of Fire
How many of you have ever visited a circus? Did you happen to see many amazing animals performing? What about a tiger jumping through the rings of fire? Can you imagine just how scary that could be for that animal to jump through a small hoop on fire? They definitely don’t do it for fun; they do it because there is either someone behind them with a whip forcing them through the fire or they have learned they get punished if they don’t perform.
Wild Animals Forced to Perform
What about lions being paraded around in front of thousands of screaming kids? Did you notice them being beaten with whips to get them to jump from perch to perch? That is not something that is normal behavior for the “King of the Jungle.” Big cats are typically a little lazy. They’re normally seen lounging around and napping when in the wild, at a true zoo, or even a true sanctuary. Animals can get frightened pretty quickly at the sound of extreme and abrupt noises, large crowds, and unnatural bright lights.
Elephant Rides
Before or after the show, were you able to get the chance to ride on the back of an elephant or a camel? Being able to ride one of those majestic creatures is a pretty cool opportunity, and you get to be sitting higher than anyone else in the room. How long was the line? How many people have ridden those animals before you? Did the animals ever get to take a break or switch out with another animal?
How close were you paying attention to the handlers of those animals? Often, the handler walks with the elephant with a bullhook in his hand. He uses this against the animals in case he wants to threaten or intimidate the elephant at any time if they don’t move how he wants them to. A lot of the abuse these animals receive happens mostly behind the scenes rather than in front of all the paying guests. Who would ever want to see that happen to the animal? They wouldn’t stay open for long if people saw them beating an elephant with a bullhook in front of their eyes.
When They Aren’t Performing
What about when the elephants aren’t being used? Where are they kept during the show or behind the scenes? If the elephant is not giving rides on its’ back or being forced to perform, then it is often expected to stand on concrete for hours while in the sun or without shade or water.
Elephants that are used in circuses in the United States today are typically elderly elephants and have been kidnapped and smuggled by animal traffickers into the states from their homes in Asia or Africa. This happens mostly when the elephants are young since it is a bit “easier” to hide a smaller elephant than a full grown adult.
What’s Going on Behind the Scenes?
Do you think the “entertainment” provided by these animals makes up for years of abuse and inhumane living conditions that circus animals are forced to live in? Most circus goers don’t get to see the small, cramped cages that the lions and tigers are unfortunately living in. Often several animals are housed in one single cage. The cages are often NOT cleaned well, if at all, which means the animals are living in their own excrement. If they are lucky, they might get fresh water occasionally or food that is not beyond consumption. While on the road, these circus animals don’t ever get to see a vet unless there is a declawing or defanging appointment scheduled. This condemns the animal to lifelong pain, arthritis, and issues eating.
Over 50 countries and 6 U.S. states (California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Jersey) have banned this archaic treatment of animals in circuses. The proposed Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act (TEAPSPA) H.R. 5999/S. 3220 amends the Animal Welfare Act to end the use of wild animals in traveling shows, like circuses, with limited exceptions for certain entities such as accredited zoos, accredited wildlife sanctuaries, and rodeos.
Animal-Free Circuses
But don’t get discouraged about never being able to attend a circus ever again! There are many fun circuses which do not use animals in their acts. Most of them have human performers doing death defying stunts, trapeze artists, flying aerialists, clowns, and magicians. Their performers often wear elaborate costumes and often incorporate musical shows in their acts.
Sources
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4155036/Prince-Albert-hits-circus.html
https://www.veganpeace.com/animal_cruelty/circuses.htm
*Published by Jackie Redfearn on 11/08/2025*