To the editor:
For decades circuses have taken away animals’ freedom and carted them all over the world for one simple, obvious reason: money. People are curious about exotic animals so they’re drawn to circuses to see them. They want little Jimmy or little Suzie to experience this part of God’s wonderful creation.
There are several problems with this scenario, most of which, if little Jimmy or little Suzie knew about, they would ask their parents to boycott the circus; not contribute to the problem by paying money for tickets. These animals are callously taken away from their families. Several cannot handle captivity and just die. These are wild animals after all, not Fido or Garfield. To “domesticate” or “train” them, they’re often mistreated. Elephants, for example, are chained to stakes and have very little room to move as well as being caged.
Under these conditions, we humans would revolt and rebel and lash out against our captors. And yet, we act surprised and shocked when an elephant or lion kills or maims humans in their attempt to escape from such an unjust and cruel environment.
Circuses, to me, are only enjoyable when I know they only have acts or clowns and will have no captive participants being forced to perform unnatural acts. Children who witness a performing lion in a circus or a parading elephant under the big top still have not seen anywhere near the real thing. All they’re seeing is a pathetic, beaten image of what the majestic creatures once were.
The sad thing is, though, that circuses, and even events like the recent Sportsman’s Show at UMPI, will continue to cage and display these wild animals as long as the public eagerly shells out money to see them.
The Internet can show children much better what these wild animals are really like, AND in their own environment as truly free, wild creatures. They can observe them as they really are, safely, knowing these animals haven’t been mistreated or caged. Numerous excellent TV nature shows are also available now.
So I urge you all, especially parents, to think about what they wish to teach here. Do you want to promote cruelty and captivity or freedom and nature the way it really is?
One thing is certain. Circuses and the like will keep caging wild animals for profit as long as the pubic makes it profitable.
Clare Kierstead
Presque Isle
