Source 1

Background: Exploiting the harsh life of circus elephants this article reveals many instances where elephants are actually tortured and starved.

Intended use: I plan to use this information towards my argument that the circus is not the happiest show on earth, however it is a horribly run animal cruelty ring.

Source 2

Background: This website provides video evidence  that the Ringling Bros circus tortured their elephants moments be four performing a show. PETA provides the world with these videos encouraging people to protest the circus. After seeing the elephants whipped in the face a few times it is hard to side with the circus.

Intended use: I intend to use these videos as specific evidence that even minutes be four a show the naturally wild animal is tortured into submission by one or two men.

Source 3

Background: In this compelling article an ex circus trainer states that after a show the elephant was led into a tent and beat by five men with bull hooks. “[a]fter my three years working with elephants in the circus, I can tell you that they live in confinement and they are beaten all the time when they don’t perform properly” also the article states the living situations of the elephants.

Intended use: Further adding to the cruelty of the elephants first hand accounts are always valuable. I intend to use this information to shine a light on how the elephants are managed and kept during their tenure of “circus performers”

Source 4

Background: This whole website is dedicated to protesting circus around the world. Giving people the information on where to start and how to protest these grotesque shoes from happening in the future. Allowing people to print posters to hang in their neighborhood is just one more step to stopping these violent occurrences.

Intended use: protesters often shine a light on the evils preformed by someone. Here on this website i intend to take first hand experiences of people trying to stop the circus from beating the elephants and try to get more people involved.

Source 5

Background: This article explains the laws of animal regulation and how to spot wounds on elephants such as captivity sores on their feet. PETA constructed a guide for the authorities to check elephant health and safety. PETA also has a video of the use of billhooks being plunged into the elephant skin. PETA maintains fact sheets on numerous circuses that list their history of Animal Welfare Act violations as well as other problems.

Intended use: PETA offers the authorities with a guide to check for elephant mistreatment. With the understanding of this (along with records of every circus that has had former misconducts) it will be easier to spread the knowledge to other people. With this information i plan to explain the ways to detect elephant cruelty and hopefully save elephants in the future by spreading word of how these majestic animals are treated.

Source 6

Background: This website offers knowledge on the history of the circus. From the first circus by Philip Astley to the traveling circuses in the United States of America. Elephants were not popular in the circus until exotic animals were introduced in North America in 1830.

Intended Use: I intend to inform my readers on the early productions that started the entire circus movement. With knowledge that the circus became popular enough to establish permanent standing, I plan to prove that the circus can diminish the use of elephants in their shows. This intent is to hopefully saving the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of elephants.

Source 7

Background: PETA released this article to spread awareness of factory farming. Factory farming is when a business, in order to fulfill supply and demand, crams animals such as chickens or cows into a small factory where their life is nothing but serving humanity as food generators. In these cramped conditions, many sanitary laws are broken and many animals die without even getting a chance to roam free once.

Intended Use: I intend to exploit the factory farming to open my readers’ eyes on the subject of animal abuse. Also, the way animals across the world are transported is exploited in this article. Elephants can weigh up to 7 tons so transporting these massive mammals can be expensive. However, to avoid cost, many venues cram them into trains where they don’t even get a chance to eat for miles and miles.

Source 8

Background: A photographer that goes by the name Beverly Joubert follows a herd of wild African Elephants for a few months capturing their wild behavior and migrating tendencies. This article is simply astounding. Nine elephants were photographed and written about during this expedition showing how a wild elephant is supposed to act.

Intended Use: By dedicating their time, Beverly Joubert has presented the world with a firsthand look at how wild elephants behave naturally. I intend to use this information by comparing the every day life and behavior tendencies of a wild African Elephant alongside that of a captive circus African Elephant.

Source 9

Background: The humane society works effortlessly to end neglect and abuse to all animals entirely. In this article a quick recap of all animals being neglected and sometimes abused is exploited, showing the harsh conditions some may endure. A 4 minute video is offered as a visual example of animal neglect. Animal neglect is denying the animal the right to food and water for an extended period of time.

Intended Use: With this article, I intend on showing my readers that animal neglect is a serious problem. Turning a cold shoulder to any animal may seem harmless but sometimes can end in tragic situations for the affected animal. I intend to show how circus elephants are neglected and prove that certain circuses are breaking animal rights laws and hopefully putting an end to this tragedy.

Source 10

Background: This article explains the changes in early circus history to the modern day circus as we know it today. The article states the history of each act (examples: The Clown, Trapeze artist, and Exotic animals) and how each act intended to effect the audience. Facts are also underlined throughout the article about the circus, as interesting and useful information.

Intended Use: The information I gathered from this article is intended to inform the readers on other acts of the circus. Clowns, strong men, and even freak shows and oddities. The article states how each act would work, how each role had different talents, and even how the circus transitioned between acts. Also, a history on the success of exotic animals gives a great background to the downfall of the circus elephant’s life. The history of the circus helps anyone to understand that elephants, which are not needed in circus routines, should remain in the wild instead of captivity for our amusement.