Should I feel guilty for hanging out with some elephants?
Last night I was in the company of elephants, tigers and clowns … oh my. Yes, I sat among thousands of big-eyed children at the RBC Center watching the “Greatest Show on Earth” — the Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus. Most of the feats were stellar.
Bello the clown was our guide through the evening. Sporting an high-top haircut that would make Kid (of “Kid n’ Play” fame) jealous, the seemingly fearless clown climbed up a wobbling pole that stretched nearly to the ceiling of the RBC Center and performed stunts that actually made me nervous for his life. He also ran atop a “wheel of steel” similar to what you’d put your hamster in. A married couple was shot out of a cannon at 65 mph. And, of course, there was the flying trapeze. One of the “flyers” (yes, that’s what you call someone who performs on a flying trapeze) even fell, landing on the net below.
But, I have to say, my favorite part was watching the elephants. They’re magnificent gentle giants. It’s incredible to see them balance on small platforms, spin around and even stand on their hind legs. PETA and other animal rights activists have a lot of bad things to say about the use of elephants and other animals in circuses. And if you read their press releases, it makes you feel pretty guilty for appreciating the splendor of the performing pachyderms:
Since 1992, eight Ringling elephant deaths have been attributable to either osteoarthritis or chronic foot problems–conditions directly linked to prolonged chaining and lack of space. Former Ringling veterinarian Dr. Gary West wrote, “Foot-related conditions and arthritis are the leading cause of euthanasia in captive elephants in the U.S.” In addition to the serious health risks, chaining and confining elephants is also cruel. It denies these highly intelligent and social animals everything that’s natural and important to them.
“Ringling’s elephants are beaten, chained like prisoners, and forced to serve life sentences—with no parole,” says PETA Director Debbie Leahy. “The best way to stop this abuse is for people to boycott Ringling and other circuses that use animals.”
I would have taken more pictures at the circus, but they ticket guy said my camera was “too professional.” But luckily, I was able to snap this pic of the protestors.
So what do you think? Should I have protested the circus because of the elephants and other animals? Or does a girl deserve a little pachyderm performance in her life?
I say that you should enjoy the show.
I care a great deal for animals. I’m a vegetarian, I donate to charitable foundations for the welfare of animals, I have two pets, etc. There is a part of me that cringes when I think that these magnificent animals will never roam the indian plains or wander the african savannahs. But, it’s a question of priorities. Is euthanasia worse than the terror cattle endure while waiting in line at the slaughterhouse? Is an elephant’s life worse than poultry animals that live in a cage their entire lives?
I personally think that human kind’s efforts would be better spent improving the lives of factory-farm raised animals in squalid conditions, rescuing endangered/almost extinct species, or even helping to do something about the thousands of dogs and cats that are euthanized every day because people are too stupid and uncaring to spay/neuter their pet. If elephants have a special place in your heart, I think a better effort would be to contribute towards efforts that protect them from poaching. That, IMO, is a far worse scenario than being in the circus.
I know these protesters have their hearts in the right place. I do think their effort could be directed at something that is a bit more urgent or grave.
John, thanks for the insight. I didn’t know you were vegetarian, and I completely respect that. You’re right, poaching does seem more grave than circus performing. One thing that just might have occurred to me is that it’s possible by protesting outside the circus (where thousands of children can see them in their prison garb and holding up signs) that curious children no doubt asked their parents what was going on, and that probably sparked some interesting conversations as parents steered into the parking lot. Further, wouldn’t be surprised if some Internet-savvy kids Googled the protestors when they got home, found out more about animal rights, etc. and turned into activists (or at least vegetarians) themselves. Hmmm.
[...] I went to the circus when it came to town last year, and I highly recommend it if you don’t have any ethical issues about elephants, tigers and lions being put on display like this. [...]