The Reutlinger Weihnachtscircus in Germany is a winter circus that has put animal shows at the center of its performances. For years, they held an animal named Mambo the Elephant captive, even forcing the majestic creature to pull sleds through the snow.
That's a behavior that was deeply unnatural for an elephant, especially in a cold winter climate that was totally unfamiliar. And then, after a life spent in forced servitude,
Mambo died in 2020. But unfortunately, the Reutlinger Weihnachtscircus hasn't learned its lesson, because this year its shows feature ponies and llamas. It proudly boasts this information right on
its website!
We must not allow it to hold any other animals captive and force them to perform for human entertainment! Sign the petition now urging German authorities to take action!In a video several years ago, showing how the circus misused Mambo as a live transportation device, you can see that a circus handler is leading the elephant through the snow. How is he doing that? The video shows him
holding a rod or bullhook in his hand. Rods and bullhooks have been used for generations to harm and abuse elephants, instill fear, and force them to comply. Clearly this elephant was being subjected to cruelty.
Elephants do not naturally enjoy doing tricks for humans or pulling them around. In order to make them tame enough to do things like this,
trainers use a method called "the crush" where they beat elephants into submission.Other animals do not enjoy performing for humans, either! Just because the German circus no longer has access to an elephant does not mean it's okay for them to substitute in other frightened, abused animals.
This German Circus forced an elephant to pull sleds in the snow until he died. German officials must ban it from using any other animals in its 2022 show!