Circuses with performing animals - yay or nay.

[U2_rocks!]

Inspired by a traveling circus that's in town.

How do you feel about them? Do you go and see them and enjoy them? Or do you boycott them due to the way most of them treat the animals, and the fact that "wild" animals shouldn't be performing tricks in captivity?

Just wondering what the current mindset is on these. Years ago people tended not to give these things too much thought, but nowadays there's been a large movement towards protecting the righs of animals, which is a good thing generally speaking.

I realize this will likely become a debate as these types of topics do ... that's fine with me, just keep it kind please so we don't get shut down!

P.S. No I'm not I'm genuinely interested. And I've been around a while .... I was forced to create a new username due to technical issues (and mommy brain ).

 

[ReggieB]

I don't go. I wouldn't lecture anyone on it though, I don't know enough facts one way or the other. If someone wants to go that's fine, I'm just not comfortable with it.

 

[poohandwendy]

I absolutely will not go to a circus with performing animals.

 

[MrsJackSparrow]

The circus is creepy.

 

[U2_rocks!]

I don't go. I wouldn't lecture anyone on it though, I don't know enough facts one way or the other. If someone wants to go that's fine, I'm just not comfortable with it.

This is about where I am. I don't feel comfortable telling people too much about why I'm not going, as I don't want to seem like I'm "preaching", ya know? But I did tell the kids why I wasn't going to take them, as they beg me to take them everytime we drive past!

 

[Evil Queen]

I haven't been to a circus in YEARS. Not sure if I would go in the future or not. I think I would go.

Agree w/ pp the circus is creepy, but the clowns are creepier.

 

[U2_rocks!]

The circus is creepy.

Yeah, a bit!

My kids would love it though, because they are still very young and innocent and take everything at face value. Whereas when I watch those animals perform I am also thinking of how they live, how they are punished for not cooperating, how they are totally out of their natural habitat etc. I feel a little bad that their school friends will talk about a circus that they will never get to go to, but I don't feel the slightest bit bad about not putting any money into the cirsus' pockets!

 

[cardaway]

I'm against them and never go to that kind of circus.

I'm also against some of the tactics of the people protesting as well. I went to buy Disney On Ice tickets from the box office on a day the circus was in town. The protesters were out bugging people who were heading to the arena and holding signs with gross pictures of dead animals. Disgusting.

 

[Rajah]

Depends on the circus. Generic circus, nah. Not really.

But something like Cavalia, which is a horse show by the creators of Cirque du Soleil (sp?), *absolutely*. In that case, those horses were very, very clearly very happy and noticably loved their handlers. Something like that, I'll go back to again and again.

 

[MrsJackSparrow]

Agree w/ pp the circus is creepy, but the clowns are creepier.

You mean like him:

 

[U2_rocks!]

Depends on the circus. Generic circus, nah. Not really.

But something like Cavalia, which is a horse show by the creators of Cirque du Soleil (sp?), *absolutely*. In that case, those horses were very, very clearly very happy and noticably loved their handlers. Something like that, I'll go back to again and again.

Oh I would too. I saw a performance at the Vienna Riding School (Lippizanner stallions) and it was incredible! I have ridden dressage before, and I know some of how those horses are trained, so I'm aware that it is a partnership between horse and rider. Horses like to have a herd leader, and in a stable environment the herd leader is naturally their owner. They are used to taking commands (from their herd leader in the wild, and from their rider in stable situation). And riders can be kinder than herd leaders!

I would see a circus like Cirque, because I know they are professionals who are dedicated to their craft, and I have no doubt that their horses are as happy as any other.

My main beef is with truly wild animals such as tigers, giraffes etc. being forced to perform in ways that aren't "natural" for that species.

 

[Evil Queen]

You mean like him:

Yes, make it go away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sugarpie]

I just can't bring myself to go to the circus. The animals always look like they're about ready to drop dead in the middle of the show. It makes me so sad. The circus comes around every year & my kids want to go when they see the commercials, but I can't do it. I told my husband he could take the kids, but he doesn't, he's too lazy, he could care less about the animals.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Not with wild animals especially after the treatment a small momkey called Trudy got from Mary Chipperfield, and the woman still claims she did nothing wrong!!!!!!

http://www.monkeyworld.co.uk/press.php?ArticleID=9

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I'm just curious. Those who don't go to a circus with animal performers, do you include Sea World in this category? I couldn't speak for any traveling circus because I haven't been to one in 30 years, but I think Anheiser Busch does an excellent job of caring for their animals. They have every appearance of caring for both their physical and psychological needs. I've never felt any guilt for enjoying their shows. The same goes for the animal performers at Busch Gardens.

How about Disney's Animal Kingdom? As I recall, there were many protests when Disney announced the creation of this park. Are there those who still feel the well being of these animals isn't being properly regarded? Does anyone boycot this park for that reason?

Rather than boycoting every venue that uses animal performers, I supposed I'd have to base it on the specific venue in question, and rely on reports as to how they treat their animals.

 

[cardaway]

Most of the people have that have issues with the circus because they don't care for the animals in the way zoos and animal parks do. It's not as much as they train the animals to do tricks, it's what the animals have to put up with once the show is over.

 

[U2_rocks!]

I'm just curious. Those who don't go to a circus with animal performers, do you include Sea World in this category? I couldn't speak for any traveling circus because I haven't been to one in 30 years, but I think Anheiser Busch does an excellent job of caring for their animals. They have every appearance of caring for both their physical and psychological needs. I've never felt any guilt for enjoying their shows. The same goes for the animal performers at Busch Gardens.

How about Disney's Animal Kingdom? As I recall, there were many protests when Disney announced the creation of this park. Are there those who still feel the well being of these animals isn't being properly regarded? Does anyone boycot this park for that reason?

Rather than boycoting every venue that uses animal performers, I supposed I'd have to base it on the specific venue in question, and rely on reports as to how they treat their animals.

I generally don't include large, professional theme parks in my definition of "circuses". AK is like a wildlife safari park - yes, there is captivity, but it's done very carefully, and every effort is made to preserve natural habitats.

I believe that Seaworld has stated that performing is always the choice of the animal - they don't force them to do anything, and they train by reward only. I can live with this. Life is not ideal for humans or animals - as long as the quality of life is reasonable I'm OK with that. Plus, these places often study their animals in ways that allow them to improve their health care and our general knowledge of the animals.

Traditional travelling circuses don't do anything to help the animals. They keep them in smal cages, that often don't get cleaned enough. The animals aren't in their natural habitat - some go as far as to drag tropical animals around temperate countries or vice versa. And whips (that inflict pain vs just guiding) are standard training fare. That's the difference I see.

I'm not at all militant about this - but over the years I've learned more and more about what goes on in some of these places, and I just can't support them.

 

[U2_rocks!]

Most of the people have that have issues with the circus because they don't care for the animals in the way zoos and animal parks do. It's not as much as they train the animals to do tricks, it's what the animals have to put up with once the show is over.

Although, there are circuses that train very wild animals (like tigers) to do tricks that are completely against their nature. Tigers are hunters - they have no desire whatsoever to cooperate with humans, so any training has to be 1) harsh and domineering, and 2) very controlled - tigers have big teeth and sharp claws!

Horses and dogs, and I believe dolphins and monkeys, have the ability to develop relationships with humans to the point where they will willingly follow instructions that they have been given via training with rewards. There may be other animals that are capable of this, but most of the wild animals that the circuses have for their WOW factor cannot be trained via reward only.

 

[cardaway]

I believe that Seaworld has stated that performing is always the choice of the animal - they don't force them to do anything, and they train by reward only.

As somebody who has seen lame BG and SW shows due to their "stars" having a very bad day, I believe they are telling the truth. I think it's great that they would rather apologize to the audience rather than due what it takes to make them do things against their will.

 

[Bob Slydell]

We go most years. My son loves the circus, not as much for the animal performers, but rather for the acrobats, etc.