Animals in Circuses
Animals such as lions, elephants and bears are commonly used
in circuses. In the circus they are taught to perform tricks to entertain the
crowd which they are in front of. Although these animals perform well,
unfortunately they are not rewarded for this by their living conditions.
Most of the circus animals are kept in very small cages, which they live in and also travel in. They do not have any bedding in and also are rarely cleaned out. This is bad welfare as the animals are not free from discomfort or free to express normal behaviour. They are not always provided with water and food, and if they are it is not of the correct standard. This shows that the animals are not free from hunger and thirst. The training of circus animals can be brutal. For example to teach dancing bears to dance a noise is sounded whilst the bear is placed on some hot stones/surface. The hot stones make the bear jump up and down as it burns its feet. Eventually the bear relates the hot surface to the noise which is being made. This shows that the animals are not free from pain and injury. This brutal method of training also means that the animals are put under constant fear and distress.
Most of the circus animals are kept in very small cages, which they live in and also travel in. They do not have any bedding in and also are rarely cleaned out. This is bad welfare as the animals are not free from discomfort or free to express normal behaviour. They are not always provided with water and food, and if they are it is not of the correct standard. This shows that the animals are not free from hunger and thirst. The training of circus animals can be brutal. For example to teach dancing bears to dance a noise is sounded whilst the bear is placed on some hot stones/surface. The hot stones make the bear jump up and down as it burns its feet. Eventually the bear relates the hot surface to the noise which is being made. This shows that the animals are not free from pain and injury. This brutal method of training also means that the animals are put under constant fear and distress.