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Circuses
How Circuses impact animals
"When children see animals in a circus, they learn that animals exist for our amusement. Quite apart from the cruelty involved in training and confining these animals, the whole idea that we should enjoy the humiliating spectacle of an elephant or lion made to perform circus tricks shows a lack of respect for the animals as individuals." ~ Peter Singer
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The public has been campaigning to end the use of wild animals in Australian circuses for several decades. This has now become a reality, sadly only due to difficulties for circuses obtaining insurance to continue working with exotic animals. Today, no circuses in Australia use exotic animals in their performances. However, several circuses still use dogs, goats, pigs, camels, llamas, cows and horses as part of their show. While these animals are domesticated, they are still vulnerable to the impacts of constant travelling, forced performances and less-than-ideal housing methods.
Fast Facts
Travel Trauma
NO LIFE ON THE ROAD
Touring circuses travel thousands of kilometres yearly, transporting the performers and performing animals between sites in cages on the back of trucks. Changing location as frequently as each week means that animals spend most of their time being transported or in temporary housing.
Animals can be confined in their travelling cages of trailers for hours or days between sites, with the only respite being limited time in an exercise area, rehearsing or performing a show.
Horses and ponies are very social animals who naturally graze for up to 16 hours daily, moving and interacting as a herd. The constant confinement frequently leads to behavioural abnormalities in horses and ponies.
Cramped & Confined
45 MINUTES A DAY
Animals in circuses in Australia are only required to have access to ‘display housing’ for 6 hours a day; the rest of the time, they can be confined in ‘night quarters’, which have no minimum space requirements.
Animals are only required to be given 45 minutes of exercise through access to an exercise yard, training or performing a day, four days a week.
Extended periods of confinement and limited opportunity for exercise raise serious concerns for the well-being of domesticated animals still being used by circuses.
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Despite claims on their website that they have "always been found to comply and exceed all regulations", in 2018 an announced inspection of one well-known Australian Circus by NSW DPI revealed several defects, including; animal record sheets that were not up-to-date, no documented contingency plan, veterinarian arrangements not complying with the Standards, enclosures not maintained in a good state of repair, and no records of staff experience and qualifications.
Risky Tricks
HUMANS KNOW THE RISKS, ANIMALS DON'T GET THE CHOICE
Animals in circuses may be asked to perform tricks that put their health or well-being at risk.
To create a spectacle for crowds, circuses routinely call on animals to perform unnatural acts that put the animals at risk of injury. Dogs and horses are asked to walk on their hind legs, which can lead to excessive strain on their joints.
Other dangerous tricks include goats climbing ladders, animals leaping through hoops or off obstacles, walking tight ropes or having other animals riding ponies or horses.
It is worth noting that no animal chooses the circus life. Whilst humans can make an informed choice about the risk of the tricks they perform, animals in circuses have no such input.
Training torment
PRESSURE TO PERFORM
Circus trainers claim only to use positive (reward) methods to train the animals in their care; however, as training occurs away from the public or any official inspectors, this claim cannot be verified.
It is not uncommon to see whips and rods used in Australian circus performances that use animals. These devices are traditionally used to inflict either fear or pain. The absence of witnessing punishment during a routine doesn't mean punishment was not used during training.
It is worth acknowledging the power dynamic of animals in a circus environment. Domesticated animals in circuses rely entirely on their carers for all food and care resources. This power dynamic places them under pressure to perform, to either avoid a punishment or to be fed — they have no option to retreat or hide.
Here with us, not for us
WHY RIDICULE ANIMALS FOR FUN?
Animals in circuses are made to perform tricks that involve unnatural movements or behaviours that they would not exhibit naturally to create a crowd-worthy spectacle.
Animals are sentient beings with their own interests and needs; they are not tools for human entertainment. Is it ethical to keep animals in a life where they face constant transport, less-than-ideal housing, and pressure to perform routines that potentially put them at risk so that humans can be entertained, or is it nothing more than exploitation?
Circuses should be fun
For Everyone
There's no need to give up going to circuses. Today there are so many incredible circuses that don't use animals. These magical, inspiring shows prove that we simply do not need to be confining, transporting and exploiting animals to wow the crowds.
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Choose Kinder Circuses - Circuses have evolved over the decades to reflect the changing values of the communities they work within. Gone are the days of traveling shows that exploited people with differences, gone are the days of Australian circuses exploiting exotic animals. Surely the next step in our compassionate evolution is to ensure all participants in the show are there willingly and are not being confined or exploited.
Kinder Options
The Future of Fun
Is Kind
Today circuses such as CIRCUS OZ (pictured left) and CIRQUE DE SOLEIL (pictured right) offer breathtaking, exhilarating and hilarious shows, all without the use of animals.
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But they're not the only circuses across the globe wowing audiences without relying on animals. Animal-free circuses put on fantastic shows where you never have to worry about animal welfare issues, such as inadequate housing, grueling transportation, or cruel training practices. Instead, their incredible performers are very talented humans.
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Make sure you support these compassionate circuses who are showcasing the future of fun.
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