A False Hope

The undeniable cruelty of elephants being brutally beaten into submission to perform in circuses and zoos is said to be a misconception of the actual truth by the LA Times. The article states that elephants are treated with respect and are taught with a trial and reward systems. However, this may be the case in certain zoos, but the sad truth is that the world’s most famous circuses and traveling animal acts treat these majestic beasts with no respect and force them to live in terrible conditions. There are numerous videos circulating the worldwide web of the most respected circuses torturing their elephants to comply with the trainers. Cattle prods are the most commonly used weapon to assault the defenseless animals. In the rebuttal, the article recognizes that similarly bridles are used to control horses; however, this is a less harsh tool than used on elephants. Instead of seeing that and saying what is done onto one animal can be done onto others, there should be stricter laws banning such tools as these.

In addition to the hardships of captivity, the wild for these magnificent animals is depleting more and more each day. Fences put up by parks and large villages stand in the way and deter elephants from advancing on their natural migration routes. In Sri-Lanka, elephants are known to traverse fields in villages and this often leads to an elephant and human interaction leading to the elephant’s death. On top of all the obstacles and lack of land, elephants could wander for months looking for water during a drought. All these hardships are not the case for captive elephants, the article states. The LA Times seems to think the only solution to these growing problems is to keep the elephants in captivity, whether it be in a zoo or performing in the circus. Instead of cracking down on poaching and allowing the elephants to roam their natural habitat, we are stuck to force these animals into tight and unsanitary conditions. Perhaps the LA Times should consider the disadvantages to a life of restricted movement and captivity. An unnatural life often leads elephants to go insane and they have to be put down. In Asia, elephants work along side of humans, as horses do in America. Instead of jumping to the conclusion that captivity is the only way to preserve the animals, the thought of letting a caged bird fly free should come to mind. Restoring the natural balance to the environment, allowing these beautiful creatures a chance to a life worth living is the solution to this problem.

Works Cited

Olson, Deborah. “Why Elephants Need Circuses and Zoos.” Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2012. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.

“Ringling’s Cruelty Exposed (Infographic).” Ringling Brothers Circus’ Over-the-Top Cruelty. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.