Thursday, April 30, 2015
Circus Animals - 10 Reasons the Show Must Go On
Douglas McPherson: I was brought up to believe it was wrong for animals to perform in circuses, so I understand why many people harbour that instinctive belief. But when Stanley Johnson and a group of politicians delivered a petition to 10 Downing Street on Wednesday, calling for a ban on wild animals in the big top, I wondered how many of them had first-hand experience of how circuses care for their animals. Having investigated the matter in great depth for my book, Circus Mania, I changed my mind and would like to present 10 reasons why the show - with animals - should go on.
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3 comments:
I have always been unsure about animals in the circus because people always say that they are treated badly and it is a terrible environment for them. This article has changed my mind a little bit. It is interesting that some animals stay alive longer in captivity than in the wild. There are pros and cons to both of them. In the wild animals can roam free and go wherever they want, but they also have to worry about predators. In captivity animals do not have a lot of room to move around, but they also do not have to worry about predators and they are fed by their trainers, instead of worrying about hunting. There are always the cases of bad animal trainers and bad conditions for animals that give circuses and zoos a bad reputation. I do not think most circuses are bad especially the big name circuses. It is really nice that there are laws protecting the animals.
I feel as though it is a common belief that circus animals are treated poorly, however according to this article they are not treated poorly at all. I was expecting all of the 10 reasons to be about how much people love circus animals and that even though they aren’t in the best conditions it is still worth it to have animals in circuses. However only 3 of the 10 reasons were about that, the other 7 were about how circus animals are not harmed by the circus and are treated well. I find it surprising after hearing how poorly they are taken car of that there was, in 2006, a 6 month study about circus animals that found they were not treated poorly at all (or at least the same level as in zoos). The animals also have 6 vet visits a year, 2 surprise ones. How, in this life style, could an animal be treated poorly? They also make the point that these animals are getting rewards for what they do. The animals are not prisoners; they are treated like performers.
Ever since I was introduced to the subject: the treatment of circus animals, I have basically just followed the majority which is comprised of those against animal captivity. Not actually seeing first hand how the background environment is for the creatures and the stability of their training and health, I have found myself faking my concern and sources to prove that the animals were indeed being treated poorly. After reading this article, I put to rest my inability to choose a "side". Though many may critique my choice, I am now very for animals being involved in circus performances. after reading the article and analyzing the reasons to keep them, I agree with their entertainment aspect as well with the fact that the health and safety of the animals are not at risk by the hand of their trainers and handlers. I also agree with Drew in that there is not reason for debate whether or not these animals are being treated poorly since they get the accommodations of medical care and rewards, as a performer would. In conclusion, I believe that animals should stay in circus performances until there is proof of poor treatment.
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