Life in the circus ain’t easy … for elephants?

“A consortium of animal-rights and environmental groups are suing Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey in U.S. District Court, alleging that the circus illegally abuses animals protected under the endangered species act.” -

History of animal abuse haunts circus coming to Rockport, Manchester

“According to the Virginia-based animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Walker Brothers Circus, former circus owner John Caudill Jr. and elephant trainer John Caudill III pleaded guilty in a federal administrative court to 18 violations of the Animal Welfare Act in 2004. ” - GloucesterTimes.com

Circus says it treats its elephants well

“Carson & Barnes Circus staunchly denied abusing its animals Wednesday, while preparing for performances here Monday.” - The Star Beacon

Elephants and Ethics at the Circus

“Ringling Bros. employees have repeatedly been documented hitting elephants with bull hooks, which are heavy, pointed pokers with a sharp hook at the end.” - washingtonpost.com

Elephant given freedom by authorities in India

“Wildlife charities in India have managed to safeguard an elephant which was being mistreated by the temple that owned it.”- IAR Global News

Letter of the day: No getting around it: Elephants are abused

“Davison seems to indicate that a back-stage pass to the circus would help in some way to inform the issue. This is nonsense, as the cruelty that is at the very heart of the issue itself could have, and likely would have, occurred during the elephants’ training, and not backstage during the circus.” - Star Tribune

Polo solo

When I first heard there was such a sport as elephant polo I was taken aback. And when the annual deluge of coverage of this sport happens like it did last month, the questions that came to mind were: “why?” and “how”? - Nepali Times

Suit alleges elephant abuse at LA Zoo

“A history of abuse and neglect at the Los Angeles Zoo resulted in the premature death of 13 elephants, actor Robert Culp and another man claimed in a lawsuit filed today seeking to close the facility.” - Daily Breeze

Group Claims Vallejo Elephants Are Abused

“An animal rights group is claiming that elephants at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom are victims of abusive treatment.” - abc7news.com:

Steps to check elephant abuse

“The district administration has issued guidelines for handling of elephants and to prevent accidents caused by elephants running amok during temple festivals.” - The Hindu

Activist Claims Inspectors Covered Up Circus Animal Abuse

“There are startling allegations of a cover-up by the Ringling Bros. Circus and the government agency assigned to police it.” - WESH.com

Elephant handler says abuse not cruel

“Student elephant handler Wayne Stockigt told a court on Monday that he did not think it was cruel to hit an elephant, whether it be with a stick or a fist.” - iafrica