COMMENTARY | Earlier this year, my elementary school-aged nephew invited several family members to attend the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He was so excited that I could not say no. I researched the show in advance by reading online reviews from the circus’ recent tour sites. I kept seeing links to videos and articles citing that circus’ supposed mistreatment of elephants, but chose not to click the links and attended with an open mind.
Exotic Animal Performances
During the tiger performance, staff members dressed in black stood around the cage while holding long batons. I did not know if it was an extra precaution like the net under the trapeze artists or a necessity, but it was rather ominous and unsettling.
The tigers looked sluggish and held a submissive, hangdog posture until the trainer directed them to move. Despite the trainer’s talent, the performance was very slow and cautious. It was difficult to see from our seats and many of the surrounding kids became fidgety and fussy in the darkened arena.
The elephants performed with more fanfare and appeared during multiple portions of the show, but none of the kids was very impressed.
USDA Fines Circus over Animal Treatment
According to a USDA news release, it is fining the circus $270,000 for allegedly violating the Animal Welfare Act multiple times between June 2007 and August 2011. Feld Entertainment, which produces the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, agreed to the settlement in lieu of a hearing but did not admit any wrongdoing.
Antiquated Themes
The edition of the circus that we saw celebrated the circus train and old traditions like the sideshow. The elephants and tigers are as outdated as the grotesque sideshow now that people have familiarity with and access to exotic animals through zoos, TV programs and online resources. Animal welfare violations or no, these exotic animals are working hard to entertain modern audiences who are not as easily impressed.
Although I do not think legislative action should prohibit the use of exotic animals in traveling shows, knowing about the settlement and potential mistreatment will keep me from attending future shows. I hope the pain in the pocketbook will lead Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to reevaluate the role of exotic animals in today’s circus.