Dangerously Close Encounters

In the wild, elephants, tigers, bears and other animals are powerful, but in circuses, they are powerless against trainers’ bullhooks, metal pipes, hotshots and other torturous tools of the trade. But many bullied, beaten animals fight back—recently, an elephant at the Pittsburgh Zoo killed a keeper. Just a month later, visitors to the Miami Metrozoo watched in horror as an elephant named Flora kicked her keeper and threw him against rocks in the enclosure, causing a head wound, broken bones and internal injuries. Ironically, the incident took place while the keeper was inside the enclosure explaining how Miami Metrozoo “dominates” its elephants. Elephant handlers at both the Pittsburgh Zoo and the Miami Metrozoo use an outdated circus-type management, which includes the use of bullhooks and chains.


Ele-Friends—the Business of Compassion Rue McClanahan and PETA are urging local businesses to be “Ele-Friends” by pledging not to support the Shrine Circus, which often leases animals from abusive “entertainment” companies, when it comes to their area. Urge local businesses to sign up to be Ele-Friends by logging onto ElefriendPledge.com.

Circus Coming? Cause a Stir!

Many circuses target schools to help with promotions, enticing them to organize field trips to the circus, distribute free or discounted tickets, sponsor the circus or host the circus on school property.

When our members meet with school boards to discourage school promotions of circuses with animal acts, school boards respond! PETA’s free “circus education pack” includes a step-by-step guide to help you approach your school board. Also included is a booklet called “3 Important Reasons Not to Take Children to the Circus” and PETA’s video “Circus Elephants: Training and Tragedy” to help you convince your school board to cut cruel animal acts from the curriculum.

To request a copy, please contact PETA. In the U.S., call Holly Quaglia at 757-622-7382, extension 1522, or send an e-mail message to HollyQ@peta.org.

BEFORE the Circus Arrives:

• Pressure sponsors to book an animal-free circus instead—meet with them and take a PETA video that shows how animals in circuses suffer.
  
• Contact PETA for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection reports and cite violations of the Animal Welfare Act to make your point.
  
• Set up a library display featuring
  PETA materials.
  
• Order our anti-circus posters and stickers.
  
• Sponsor an ad in your local newspaper. PETA can supply a camera-ready ad.
  

WHEN the Circus Arrives:

• Record the unloading of the animals with your camcorder and/or camera. Be on the lookout for scars, wounds and other indicators of abuse and neglect, as well as violations of state anti-cruelty statutes (copies of these statutes are available at public libraries). Contact PETA or visit Circuses.com for a checklist and a copy of PETA’s “Basic Tips for Circus Elephant Inspections” to send to your local animal control. If you spot violations of law, call your local animal control department or humane society immediately—and in the U.S., urge the USDA to send an inspector to investigate, too.
  
• Organize a colorful demonstration on opening night—and leaflet at every show. Approach people with a smile and information and urge them not to go to the circus. Call PETA for leaflets, posters and advice.
  
• Alert the media about your demonstration with a news release. (See PETA’s Web site for sample releases.)
  
• Educate friends, neighbors, coworkers and family members about circus cruelty by writing letters to your local newspapers.
  

AFTER the Circus Is Gone:

• Visit the circusís Web site to find out where it is headed next, and alert activists in that area so they can arrange a protest. PETAís Campaigns Department can give you contacts.
• Launch a campaign to ban circuses and other traveling animal exhibits in your town or county. Request a free ìcircus ordinance packî from PETA.