Elephants held in captivity trained to perform unnatural "tricks" undergo severe punishment until they perform according to expectations. All in the name of profit. These elephants are beaten, tortured, kept chained for endless days/hours in uncomfortable positions as punishment if they did not pass the day's training. One inhumane method of the beatings is the use of bull hooks which inflict pain, suffering, bruising, internal injuries. These elephants do not receive medical treatment and are forced to perform even if they are in pain, or suffering from an injury that arose from the beatings. Mother elephants are forced to watch while their babies are beaten and undergo severe treatment. Ringling Bros. is notorious for having a staff of non-professional trainers who get enjoyment inflicting pain and suffering on these animals. I have photos and DVD's taken by an undercover investigator with verbal remarks from the trainers stating to keep the beatings going until they do what we want. I have contacted major TV talk shows and the media hoping to capture someone's attention to do a story exposing the truth of what goes on behind the scenes..
People attending a circus have no idea of the suffering these animals endure even up to the moment of performance they are beaten to remind them of what's expected. Ringling Bros. denies harsh treatment yet the proof is there. Other circuses are also guilty of the same cruel acts including the Ohio incident a petiton I signed today. We must try to end the suffering of these elephants, performing tricks is not educational for the children, These are highly intelligent creatures with strong family ties, they feel pain, bleed, depression just like us. Circus elephants should be released to a sanctuary where they can live out the rest of their lives in peace and freedom.. If people knew what goes on behind the scenes to make elephants do ridiculous tricks, perhaps they will boycot a circus that uses animals. Watching the DVD, looking at the photos is extremely heart breaking. I do not belong to facebook and ask you reach out to your friends and spread the word to stop torturing elephants and release them.
