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Entertainment

You may have seen news reports of elephants breaking out of the circus and trampling someone, or more recently the tiger that killed a man at the San Francisco zoo. What they don't show you are the conditions and actions that lead animals to rebelling.

In circuses, elephants (among other animals) are beaten, stabbed, and shocked until submitting to their trainer. "'Sink that hook into 'em. When you hear that screaming, then you know you got their attention.'"
(Tim Frisco, elephant trainer) (video on circuses.com)

I have fond childhood memories of zoos and grew up believing the animals were happy. Last summer a friend took me to the National Zoo in D.C after years of just, well, not going. As we talked about the legitimacy of zoos in terms of education and conservation, I really couldn't see how zoos could be justified. If zoologists were really committed to conservation and recreating natural habitats, why on Earth would animals be put on display in an overcrowded city and subjected to live in a fenced yard? Really, how much can we learn about an animal when it's locked up in a room thousands of miles from its natural habitat? This is so obvious and simple that I almost feel silly for pointing it out. We're so used to zoos being a part of our culture that they just feel right, even though taking a closer look would say otherwise. I can't remember where I heard this but it's a simple and direct point: "Why does SeaWorld sell seafood? Why do zoos sell burgers?".

"'It's animal abuse merchandised as family entertainment,' said Peggy Larson, a native of North Dakota who grew up bronco riding and is now a veterinarian. 'There were five bucking horses that were killed last year. And the calves, nobody even keeps track of them. This is not family entertainment. How do you think kids feel when they see some little animal get its neck broken?'"
(New York Times, "Pros and Cons of Rodeo Roping and Riding", Claudia Rowe, June 16th 2002)

"I'd like to see animals removed from the entertainment business. Chimpanzees and apes won't perform unless you beat them. Circuses keep elephants in chains 90 percent of the time. Elephants need freedom of movement. In circuses, they live in cramped quarters, which is not the life intended for them by nature. Some are beaten daily, forced to do ridiculous tricks and robbed of every shred of dignity."
(Bob Barker)

Other forms of entertainment in which animals are abused: fishing, hunting, horse races, pig races, cockfighting, dog fights, and bullfighting.

Check these out:
*RodeoAbuse.com
*Ciruses.com
*Thought to Exist in the Wild by Derrick Jensen

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