On lions and clowns and other things to fear at the circus.
By Gilgemesh • Apr 2nd, 2008 • Category: Life Stuff
The circus is in town. Normally, I would not consider this to be an event worth noting. However, my son is now of circus going age, and I thought it might be a good idea to suggest a circus trip to the wife.
Apparently, I was mistaken. You see, she has some hesitations. Now, to clarify, neither of us are card carrying members of PETA, or the SPCA, or really any animal rights group, but she feels like the poor circus animals aren’t treated well, even though the circus folk say they are. And, therefore we shouldn’t take the boy to see them. Mind you, I am the Vegetarian, she is the hardcore carnivore. But, according to her rationale, taking him, would amount to us supporting the people who are ‘allegedly’ mistreating the poor beasties and might cause further suffering for them, or others like them.
Well, I won’t completely disagree. The animals are most assuredly not as free to do what they want as they would be in the wild. They are perhaps not even as free as in the zoo. But they are alive. And no one is hunting them, which can’t be guaranteed of a free animal. So there’s at least that positive. Also, they get fed pretty regularly. That’s also not something we can guarantee them in the wild. At the circus there is also the slim posibility that one of these animals could get ahold of a clown and eat it. Thereby doing the whole world a favor. Yes, like any rational, knowledgeable human being I have a healthy dose of coulrophobia. Clowns are evil, mark my words. But, I digress.
I don’t think she’d be the type to go out and protest, and yes, that is a link to an article about a topless circus protest in Texas, from 2004. It was followed up by this nice Portland protest with a similar theme. Read down a bit to the comments where you can find the PETA where only women are treated like meat poster. opps, off topic again. Where was I…
…ah, yes, the circus. I am fairly certain that a pre-K boy would have a blast at the circus. A cursory look around the internet shows me that other people are still taking their kids, and the children are having fun. Besides, do we really saddle our toddlers with the fear that the cute animals are really horribly mistreated and under duress? Would this perhaps cause them to have nightmares? About clowns? Sick, evil clowns? With sick clown names. Which you can apparently get for yourself here. Just frightening. I know, back to the topic.
Well, I think this is the part where I check the hard core don’t go to the circus sites. For that we turn to the guys over at Zombie Popcorn. OK, the site isn’t about Zombies. Nor is it about Zombie circus performers, zombie animals or any other cool zombie stuff. It is however one of the more readable blogs on animal rights that I have so far come across. In particular pachyderms as best as I can tell. Give it a go. Especially if you are one of the NO don’t go to the circus types, or happen to be wavering.
I’ve been writing this post now for some time and I really can’t figure out if I want to take him. So, in the great blogoverse method used by countless people before me to make their big decisions, I will make my choice based on your comments left below. Should I go? Should I not go? Should we make an baby zombie elephant costume and cover it in blood and gore and go down to picket? You tell me, the blog lines are open.
Gilgemesh is the person your mother warned you about. And, if she didn't, please email me at the link below, we have much to discuss.
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I would say don’t go. - Well, I am saying, don’t go. As you read in the Zombie-Popcorn.com post - there are at least six open USDA investigations against Ringling at the moment due to abuse and neglect for all their animals, not just the elephants. Not to mention the federal lawsuit against Ringling for violations of the Endangered Species Act and abuse.
I am not saying don’t go to ANY circus - if you still want to have the family outings you can visit circuses like Circus Soleil and other non-animal circuses. (which I can provide you a list)
I wish you luck on your quest to decide ‘what to do?’
- Jason
I agree with Jason’s comment. Ringling Bro.s has a bad history of animal mistreatment.
Even if this weren’t true, and the animals were treated wonderfully they are still being forced into a life of constant confinement and deprived of acting on their natural instincts forcing them into a state of neurosis. This is why elephants in circuses constantly sway back and forth in their chains, tigers constantly pace in their cages, and monkeys beat themselves against their cages. Some animals have resorted to self-mutilation from lack of psychological stimulation and the repetition forced on them during the process of learning new tricks. (This comment has been corrected grammatically at the posters request)
I think it is easy for parents to get caught up in the nostalgia associated with the circus and the desire to let their children experience the preceived joys that they remember from their childhood, but it is very sobering when you think of how long these animals have been doing this. Some of the elephants you are taking your children to see–many who are well into their 20’s– might be the same elephants you saw perform as a child.
After leaving that arena when you were a kid, you went on with junior high, then to prom and graduation. You took road trips, you lost loved ones. You had different hair styles, clothes and cars. You got married and started your family. And all this time the same elephants–those who have survived the abuse anyway–have continued to perform day-after-day, over 300 days each year. Balancing on one leg, walking on asphalt, standing in their own feces on trains for hours and eating bland elephant chow–no doubt dreaming of feasting on lush vegetation, soft sandy soil beneath their feet, and an overwhelming desire to make their own choices about how they spend their time instead of being chained and beaten as slaves.
Please don’t go to a circus that uses animals. There are so many more wonderful inspiring things to do with your kids!
<3
Mylie makes an excellent point regarding the elephants, and it is that type of insight that will make me reiterate that folks who are not sure about their feelings on this topic should visit her site http://www.Zombie-Popcorn.com. It is full of the same kind of straightforward, no BS, type of writing, which Jason, see his comment also above, also has a hand in. As things stand right now I am leaning towards not going, but being the type of person who doesn’t let just a few people make up my mind for me I’m going to hold off on the final decision for a few days.
PS. THX for the input. And I like the way new site design looks. More insane Zombies please.
I’m actually happy that Gil posted my concern about taking our son(s) to the circus. Each year it comes to town and I see the commercials…you know the ones…where all of the happy kids are watching the tight-rope walkers while eating cotton candy and sno-cones. You start to feel that nostalgic feeling and want to do some of those very same things that you did with your parents (a lifetime ago). You want to give your kids those very same fond memories. Time to wake up…it is 2008, not 1972! Things have changed and we need to create new experiences for our kids. I think we get so caught up in overcompensating for the long hours that we work (unlike our parents) and all of the time that our very young children spend in “school” (otherwise known as daycare) that we ignore the obvious. No offense, but you’d have to be pretty stupid to believe that these animals are enjoying their jobs. Mylie’s comment about the fact that these animals could indeed be some of the same animals that we saw as kids is truly heartwrenching to me. Let’s find better ways to overcompensate…a zombie walk perhaps?
Nah, don’t take your kid to the circus. Especially not Ringling. They’re notorious for animal mistreatment.
Go to the circus!
And if you feel guilty, mug a clown afterwards… and donate what you get to your favorite charity.
As for those animals being the same ones we marveled at when we were children… that’s job security.
We should be thanking Ringling for not turning the animals out on the street in favor of younger, prettier, internet savy pachyderms.
Imagine the drain those large elderly homeless dumbo clones would unleash on our failing health care system!
If you want to protect your child from something inhumane… how about protecting them from football, hockey and boxing.
Don’t go. Here’s an opportunity where you don’t have to do anything in order to do something “good” - in this case, take a stand against exploitation and abuse. It sucks to be caged, chained, and trained to do unnatural tricks. There are plenty of non-animal circuses out there to entertain us.
Don;t go. Children watching wild animals doing stupid human tricks is not educational. Go to http://www.elephants.com and watch 7 former circus elephants just being elephants. These elephants were suffered unspeakable abuse before they found sanctuary. They can teach your child so much just by observing them. The sanctuary also has former zoo elephants. You can read about each individual elephant and view archived video of each.
Please reconsider and don’t take your child to the circus.
Stay away from the circus. It’s the only way to make them stop. Also, thanks for the Sick Clown Name Generator mention.
Sicko Stank Bags & Spunko Hatchet Spanks (Mike & Joe)
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Don’t go. As has already been shared in previous posts, animals in circuses are treated inhumanely and kept in confinement for years. Animals do not naturally perform “tricks” meant to entertain humans. Trainers regularly utilize whips, collars, electric prods, bullhooks and other devices to “force” animals do perform. These animals are performing under duress, not by choice. As Kirsti said, by just not going to the circus, you are doing something good for animals (and I am sure it will make you feel good as well).
I think that it is great that you are putting your dilemma out there for feedback and making an informed decision. Best of luck on your decision making process!
Melissa
Don’t go!
Don’t support that!! Cruelty to animals should never be supported. If you go, take a megaphone and pass out some pamphlets on Ringling beating the elephants and make a scene out front about it. Don’t give your money to people who regularly neglect & beat and sometimes even kill circus animals. Why would you want to be a part of that?
Well, Good news for everyone that posted that we should stay away from Ringling. We have decided not to attend. Not only that, but if I do decide to go, I like Carrie’s Idea of a bullhorn and pamphlets. Mostly because I like Pamphlets. They’re just fun.
Anyway, I wanted to update everyone who is checking. Please, keep posting. I have had numerous emails from people saying they were in a similar quandry and your comments have helped sway them. So, congrats on that.
Now, I have some pamphlets to make.
-Gil
AWESOME! - so glad to hear that you are not going to the circus! - and if you ever need pamphlets let me know - I can hook you up.
btw- I am totally hooked on your blog -
-Jason
THX for the site love. We need all we can get. Keep your eye out for our new contributor. Coming soon, to a HeathensOnline near you.
Circus Bad