Posts : 6723 Join date : 2009-08-11 Age : 59 Location : Wet Beaver Creek
Subject: Circus Elephant Beatings Caught On Camera Wed Aug 19, 2009 4:06 am
An undercover investigation by Animal Defenders International (ADI) filmed three elephants - Sonja, Delhi and Vana Mana - during the circus's tour of Britain this summer.
A groom is seen deliberately twisting an animal's tail and the elephants are shown crying out in distress and retreating in fear from their handlers.
Jan Creamer, ADI chief executive, said: "In the name of entertainment these elephants are beaten, jabbed with hooks, chained up for hours, and pushed into a metal box each week where they remain for hours on end whilst the circus moves to another site."
This is the first time elephants have been seen performing inside a big top in ten years.
The two Asian and one African elephant have been transported round the country for the tour. Ms Creamer added: "This is an indictment of the circus industry and also the Government who have failed to fulfil their commitment to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses.
"It is time for the Government to act decisively and end this suffering for once and all."
The animals are also shown swaying, rocking and repeatedly bobbing their heads.
The campaigners claim their behaviour is evidence of deeply disturbed animals, deprived of their herd, natural habitat and ability to roam.
But a spokesman for the Great British Circus said: "Studies by eminent scientists reveal that trained animals sway and head-bob in excited anticipation, for example before a performance or as food is prepared."
He added: "We do see the trainer strike an elephant with a wooden stick. When the elephants are feeding, they are prone to bully one another and attempt to steal food.
"If voice commands are ignored, a minimal and proportionate use of negative reinforcement may be used on rare occasions."
The groom caught on camera striking the elephants has now been sacked.
.tUrniP Lifer
Posts : 910 Join date : 2009-08-13
Subject: Re: Circus Elephant Beatings Caught On Camera Wed Aug 19, 2009 4:16 am
I was actually willing the elephant to stamp on his head while watching that.
TDKING
Posts : 1045 Join date : 2009-08-14 Age : 38 Location : West yorkshire
Subject: Re: Circus Elephant Beatings Caught On Camera Wed Aug 19, 2009 4:20 am
just as a rule i wont go to circus's coz of the animals there just because i think its cruel
Mrs-G Admin
Posts : 3052 Join date : 2009-08-11 Age : 53 Location : Stoke On Trent
Subject: Re: Circus Elephant Beatings Caught On Camera Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:36 pm
Luckily most UK circus's don't have animals now, i won't go to one that does...
I've seen these creatures in the wild in their native habitat, they are not meant to be wearing frilly pink tutu's and dancing on two legs!!!!!
An elephant never forgets!.........I hope they get revenge I really do!
underage17 Lifer
Posts : 202 Join date : 2009-08-11 Age : 30 Location : Under-Land
Subject: Re: Circus Elephant Beatings Caught On Camera Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:40 pm
do they even have circus's any more? i haven't gone to a single one in my life!
TK Trooper Lifer
Posts : 1541 Join date : 2009-08-20 Age : 49 Location : Scouseland
Subject: Re: Circus Elephant Beatings Caught On Camera Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:06 am
I can't watch the video to this, the one thing i can't abide is cruelty to animals in any shape or form. It angers me beyond belief. All i can say is (and cover your ears if easily offended) i just hope that the inhuman twat in the video ends up with some form of horrific disease like bollock cancer and dies a horrible death. And that goes to anyone who mistreats and animal in any way. People say they couldn't do my job in a million years, but i say my jobs nothing compared to the guys & gals who work with animal cruelty (like the RSPCA), now thats a job that i couldn't do. How they go into some situations and loose it on some of the people they meet. I would be sacked after day one.
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Subject: Re: Circus Elephant Beatings Caught On Camera