Guest Pitch: Mechanical Elephant Talks to Kids Across the U.S. About Circuses

For Immediate Release:
February 27, 2017

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

This May, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will close, blaming falling ticket sales—caused, in part, by widespread protests against the outfit’s mistreatment of animals. This opposition includes PETA’s tour with Ellie, a life-size mechanical elephant, who has spent the last year and a half traveling to elementary schools across the country to encourage kids to stay away from circuses that use animals.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—has received rave reviews about Ellie. “Hosting [Ellie] was an amazing experience,” wrote one teacher. “After hearing [Ellie]’s story, our students decided NOT to go to our early trip to the circus. In fact, teachers have agreed not to take their children as well. [Hosting her] opened our eyes to the horrible treatment of animals at the circus or zoo.”