For the Animal Rights Advocates, A Powerful Book

[fureverywhere]

http://us.macmillan.com/lastchainonbillie/CarolBradley

I read this in two sittings at the bookshop, it's that engrossing. In a nutshell it's the history from the beginning of elephants tortured for human entertainment. Baby elephants were kidnapped and then "trained" to do tricks for their handlers. The young animal would be missing it's pack and then subjected to starving and regular beatings. For example standing on it's head...not anything an elephant would do in the wild. The trainer would use a crane to lift the elephants back end and then force it to hold the position. Very well written but just so brutal what humans do to such majestic creatures. You won't ever look at circus culture the same way again.

 

[Debby]

I've seen undercover video that PETA managed to get to use against Ringling Bros. circuses. Terribly, terribly sad and especially so because we're becoming more aware each year, just how sensitive and family oriented elephants are and how they remember one another even when separated for years! Like that story I linked in another comment somewhere about that guy known as the Elephant Whisperer who's death brought his elephant 'friends' back to mourn and pay their respects. Those circus trainers on the other hand, do those terrible things to the babies when they are 'little' and helpless, just to get them to do stupid pet tricks!

But fortunately, as a result of the efforts of activists over the years, Ringling has recently decided to end the use of elephants in their circuses. They'll be phased out of the program by 2018 although I don't know why it would take so long.

 

[chic]

I saw that Debby and am so relieved at Ringling's decision. The era of circuses as "entertainment" is long past. It makes me angry every time I hear about animals being exploited in this way.