Circuses End Performing Lions and Tigers in the United Kingdom
Gracey, The Tiniest Tiger reminding us to not allow big cats to be confined in circus wagons.
Big changes are underway under the Big Top in the United Kingdom. Traveling circuses have started their season but for the first time no circus will be entertaining the crowd with performing big cats. The Great British Circus was the last show to feature tigers doing tricks and they sent their cats to an operator in Ireland just in time before the new animal welfare regulations became active last month.
The Victorian era ushered in circuses with performing elephants, lions and tigers on tour. The last time the circuses toured without exotic animals was around 1768 when the first modern circus entertained the spectators with horses and riders performing daring feats. Wild animals did not debut in the circus until after the British empire expanded in the 19th century. Wild animals were captured and brought back to be put on display at a time when the average person had little chance of seeing a live lion, tiger or elephant let alone watch them performing tricks.
Over the last couple hundred years, our world is a very different place. We have access to learning about and seeing lions, tigers and elephants from many sources, whether that be a zoological park, a sanctuary, learning via the internet or nature programs on television. We also know more about the big cats that share our world and most people are concerned about how they are treated and find physical abuse unacceptable in modern society.
Lion and Tigers are confined in small cages all day except when performing
The cages that transport lions and tigers are quite often not big enough to allow the cat to stand up or walk around. In fact, many animals have been found to be chained in one place while being transported. Circus owners and operators claim they take good care of their animals, but being confined in small cages all day except when they are performing results in a life without essential physical needs such as sunshine and exercise let alone social freedom. Sadly, every major circus using wild animals has been cited for a violation of the Animal Welfare Act. These violations only result in a fine imposed upon the circus, not the removal of the animal.
In 2004, a two year old lion named Clyde, a member of the Ringling Bros. Circus died after being contained in a boxcar traveling from Arizona through the Mojave Desert to California. The temperature in the cars was recorded at 109 degrees and Clyde was not provided water or ventilation. This treatment is undeniably extreme cruelty.
The Emotional Side of the Big Cats
A lion would not choose to leap through a ring of fire and a tiger would not willingly sit up on their haunches while balancing on a stool. These big cats must be trained to perform and this training is usually the result of negative reinforcement in the form of physical abuse. Some animals are deprived of exercise time, food and shelter from the elements when they fail to perform on demand. Animals are subjected to beatings all across their bodies with sticks, metal rods, hooks and other brutal implements to force them to behave the way the trainer demands.
Big cats suffer pain and many in the scientific community think animals have emotions and feelings as well. And even if you are not sure, isn’t the humane and best path to proceed as though all animals are capable of not only experiencing physical pain but emotional distress too?
“When You Know Better, You Do Better” Maya Angelou
When I was a child, the circus came to our town and I remember being excited to go and see the elephants and tigers. I remember my mom telling us that she didn’t enjoy the show because of the way the animals were treated. I didn’t understand when I was younger but I certainly do now. And as society evolves and we learn more and we know better, don’t we have an obligation to do better? Knowing what we know now, is there any reason any animal should be forced to perform tricks to entertain crowds?
Circuses in continental Europe and the United States continue to draw big crowds with wild animals. Education and awareness will help these countries follow the footsteps of the UK and allow these animals to escape from the circus and relocate to reputable sanctuaries.
We know better. Let’s try to do better.
What do you think?
It makes sense for the country which began this cruel practice end it. May the message reach every country
I am so thankful for you, and your dedication, to making others aware of this…I also, remember thinking it was fun as a kid, to see these wonderful creatures, never dreaming then, of what they were all going through!!!
Thank you so much!
We loved animals our entire lives and we excited to see them. We never dreamed they might be suffering. Thank you for caring for all animals big and small.
Thank you for creating a thoughtful article on this horribly sad ‘entertainment’.
Seeing the factual images and sensible text here makes me feel sad but more dedicated to not going to a circus or similar event.
Thank you for caring about all animals big and small. The more we understand the better we can do for all living beings.
What do I think? I think I’ll link to this on Facebook, so more people can read it.
Thank you for sharing and for being a part of The Tiniest Tiger community.
They can’t even move in those cages. Very sad. I didn’t know any different when I was a kid either. Reading a lot of your posts have really opened my eyes on how these animals are treated. Breaks my heart.
Thank you for caring about all animals Sue. We are all learning more every day. xoxox Gracey
No animal should have to be caged. Much less have to perform silly stunts, at least in my opinion. And people need to stop killing animals just because they can. We have a lot of wildlife around this area because of the river and the mountains. Everytime I see on the news another mountain lion or coyote or whatever, has been murdered because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, it infuriates me. Leave them alone, they have a right to be here.
It makes me super sad to learn about the mountain lions, coyotes and wolves. My wish is that more people will learn and understand our relationship with other living beings. Thank you for caring for all animals.