Pro
Dear Ringling Bros, Barnum & Bailey Circus,
It is a well-known fact that your company utilizes many different Asian elephants as performers in your shows. I wanted to take this opportunity to express my opinion that the usage of these creatures is completely valid. Exposing audiences to the massive animals increases awareness about the species in general. By designing and performing these shows, you hold the power to influence masses of people to believe in the importance of conservation of all wild species. As many of your viewers are children, the shows and exposure instills a sense of curiosity for the animals and responsibility for their well-being from an early age. Increasing awareness for elephant conservation is imperative for the continued success of the species.
Similarly, the work at the Center for Elephant Conservation, your foundation for these animals, has demonstrated your commitment to the animals. Thanks to the conducted research into various elephant diseases, more information is known that can be used to promote elephant health across the globe. Also, the extensive breeding and fertility programs help the Center, and other organizations, to maintain a healthy and diverse Asian elephant population while attempting to bring the species back from their threatened status.
Some critics of your work may believe that keeping elephants in captivity is detrimental to their health on many levels. It is my understanding that you make every effort to ensure that the animals are in the best physical and mental health that you can possibly provide them. Critics might also suggest that the training and forcing them to perform is unnatural. Yes, performing is not exactly a natural habit but it ensures that the elephants have mental and physical stimulation. Also, your company repeatedly assures the public that all training methods utilize positive reinforcement as opposed to pain.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the species.
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| Medical Check-up |
Con
Dear Humane Society of the United States,
As an organization committed to the welfare of animals across the country and globe, I agree with your stance that against usage of elephants in the circus atmosphere. One of your expressed concerns is that laws that "protect" the animals do not provide enough structure to ensure adequate care. This is entirely true. Legislation cannot cover all of the small details that are necessary to provide for the large mammals, especially when the regulations are written by people who have very little personal experience and knowledge of the animals. Also, just because the rules are in place does not mean that they are followed or enforced.
As wild animals, elephants are highly unpredictable even after being trained. Humans are incredibly small and weak compared to elephants so there is a very high risk for a trainer or a spectator to be harmed. Because they are not domesticated, we have very little control over their instincts and reactions which can lead to any number of dangerous situations. Many handlers resort to using pain as a method by which to control the animals but this is completely inhumane and can even provoke the animal to react more violently.
Supporters of elephant's usage may argue that many circuses go above and beyond the regulations with caring for their animals. However, our care for them is no valid substitute for their native habitat in the wild. We know so little about them that we should not presume that we can take adequate care of their physical health or provide enough mental stimulation. They may also argue that the elephants' appearances are a mode of self-advocacy for their conservation and survival in the wild. The problem with this is that circuses do not exhibit elephants with their natural habits in their native habitats so audiences are left with a skewed perception of the species.
Thank you for your concern for the well-being of the species.
| Chained circus elephants |
Compromise
There are several areas concerning the usage of elephants in circuses that need to be addressed to pacify all parties:
- Regulation. The usage, treatment, and care of elephants needs to be more heavily regulated to ensure that they are being properly taken care of at all circus facilities. Elephant experts should work with legislative bodies to identify weaknesses of current regulations and act as an advocate for the well-being of the elephants. All possible areas should be covered including: general care, physical health maintenance, mental stimulation, transportation, working conditions, breeding programs, research, and more. All regulations should be enforced heavily with monthly and surprise check-up and heavy fines for infractions
- Advocacy. Circus elephants should not be used with the sole justification that they advocate elephant conservation. They must have an additional purpose which elephants across the world will benefit from. Circus personal should also emphasize that these are learned behaviors to avoid enabling misconceptions.
- Captivity of wild animals. While holding wild animals captive is less than ideal, the improved legislative regulations will ensure that they are well taken care of on all possible levels. Also, using the animals for multiple purposes will ensure that their captivity does not go to waste. In other words, they should be used to promote elephant conservation while also allowing research to be conducted. This way, wild and captive elephants can benefit while minimizing the damage to the species overall.
Moral Vision
In today's world, it is unrealistic to not utilize animals in our daily lives. For thousands of years, humans have relied on animals to provide them with necessary building blocks to survive. It would be completely unreasonable to start living without using them now. However, we do need to realize the impact we have on other lives, human and non-human. We can no longer operate under an isolated ignorance; we must take responsibility for our needs and actions. This means that humans as a species must treat all other animals with the dignity and respect that they are due. Humanity sustains the idea of the Golden Rule: treat others how you wish to be treated. This philosophy must be extended towards all non-human animals, no matter what measures must be taken to get there.
Final Self-Reflection
Overall, the project was very eye-opening to me. I chose to investigate elephants because I have been fascinated with them since I was a child. I knew before the class that they were considered to be highly intelligent but I had no idea to what extent. Seeing various video clips in lecture piqued my interest even more and I knew they would be a good species to focus on. The project helped me dig much deeper into the elephant psyche and discover their extreme intelligent and emotional capacity. I also knew that there was opposition towards the usage of elephants in zoos and circuses but I found that there was more criticism that I had originally anticipated. The topics that impacted me the most were the subjects of animal emotion and intelligence. As a pet owner, I see on a daily basis the complex thought many animals are capable of and the emotions that they express. It was incredibly hard to watch videos with about animal cruelty while thinking about their emotions. Now, it will be completely impossible to avoid tearing up at the Sarah McLachlan commercials about animal cruelty. This course has open my eyes and made me much more aware of how we use and treat animals in our daily lives.
References
"About the Center for Elephant Conservation". Center for Elephant Conservation. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
"Circus Myths". The Humane Society of the United States. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
"FAQs". Feld Entertainment. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
