Past Time for Change

Lottie, former circus performer and current resident of The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.

Yesterday PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) released a video shot by an undercover employee for Ringling Brothers Circus. The video shows workers repeatedly beating elephants for no apparent reason other than to bully them. Though I don't always agree with PETA's tactics or all of their positions on animal issues, I don't believe anyone can look at the video and not be disturbed.

There has been heated debate for years about the use of wild animals trained to perform tricks for the amusement of spectators. I understand that people love to look at them. However, I strongly feel that using animals such as elephants, tigers, lions, bears, apes, and others is just plain wrong. Witness the times an animal returns to its natural behavior (it is, after all an undomesticated creature) and attacks a trainer/handler. The animal is labeled vicious, but whose fault is it really?

Certainly not the animal. It wasn't meant to live in a small confined space and perform tricks on command. And gross mistreatment from handlers doesn't do anything to improve this powder keg of a situation. In fact, other countries have outlawed or restricted this type of entertainment.

As consumers, we need to let circuses and carnivals know that it's time to evolve their acts into ones that are both civilized and humane. Bring on the trapeze artists, jugglers, high wire acts, and illusionists, but allow the animals to live as they were meant to live.

Cirque du Soleil is the perfect example of an organization able to put on a fine show without the use of critters.

Can't other such groups learn something from them?

Most Intelligent Animals

Dr. Jane Goodall

An animal behaviorist known the world over for her research on chimpanzee behavior is Dr. Jane Goodall. She's spent a lifetime studying animals and is one of the foremost authorities in conservation and environmental issues. Jane will be 75 on April 3, and still actively pursues her passion. She'll be in St. Louis to lecture at Washington University this month, but alas, I have no ticket to attend!

Last year Jane did an article for USA Today where she chooses what she believes to be the five most intelligent animals in the world. Her list includes the following:

1. Great Apes
2. Whales and dolphins
3. Elephants
4. Parrots
5. Dogs and cats

Her explanation and a couple of short videos are truly must-sees. Check out the post on village of joy.

I especially love the parrot video. Is he smart or what?

Water for Elephants

There was a blurb on this morning's news about a California zoo and the problems they are encountering due to insufficient space for their elephant. The debate rages over whether the zoo should start very expensive renovations or if it would be best for the animal to go to a sanctuary.

This issue has been a battleground for years, as evidence mounts that elephants deserve much better treatment than what they've received at the hands of man. Organizations such as Elephant Voices www.elephantvoices.org have devoted themselves to identifying the plight of elephants and working for change.

There are numerous factual and fictional accounts on the lives of elephants. After research on the subject, I don't think even the stoniest of hearts could remain unmoved by what these exceptionally intelligent creatures have endured.

In 2007, I read a wonderful novel called "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen. The story is told from the perspective of an elderly man who is in a skilled care nursing facility. The tale goes back and forth from present to past as he remembers his time with a traveling circus. As you might expect from the title, an elephant plays a large (no pun intended) and poignant part in his life. Gruen's meticulous research and ability to get inside the heads of her characters, be they human or animal, makes for an intense and satisfying read. The book received both popular and critical acclaim. If you haven't read it, run, don't walk, to the bookstore or library and scoop up a copy. Gruen knows elephants.

And meanwhile, for another elephant somewhere out in California, I can only hope that this time man makes the right decision.