Abused circus animals find peace

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Allyson Glahe, Writer

In 1768, Philip Astley created the first modern amphitheatre for the display of horse riding tricks, and this would become the basis for the modern circus. For almost a century, animals were not used in the shows themselves, only displayed in cages. In 1833, animals became a bigger part of the show after Isaac A. Van Amburgh became the world’s first “lion-tamer.” After 1833, animals such as big cats, elephants, horses, birds, sea lions, bears, dogs and cats became a well known and well liked part of circuses.

However, there has always been controversy over the treatment of circus animals. According to the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), circuses use electrical shock prods and bullhooks to train elephants. The trainers have sunk the sharp metal bullhook into the animal’s’ flesh, twisting it until they have screamed in pain. They keep big cats, such as lions and tigers, in small cages with little to no outdoor space, remove their claws and smash their teeth so they are less dangerous to their handlers. Basically, all of the more dangerous animals, big cats and elephants, have been beaten into submission so that they will be too afraid to revolt against their trainers.

Now, after years of pain and abuse, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circuses announced that they are retiring all of their elephants. In addition to the retiring elephants, 33 lions from South American circuses are being released into an African sanctuary as well. Since none of these animals can ever be released into the wild, the elephants will live out their lives in Ringling’s Center for Elephant Conservation, and the lions will live in the South African Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary.

Even though activist groups have been rescuing circus animals for years, this is by far the largest group of animals that will be released. While the release of these animals can never make up for the torture they endured, at least they can rest easy knowing that the end of the use of animals in circuses is near.