Don’t glamorize the circus atmosphere

I would like to comment on the article posted on Thursday, Sept. 29 titled “Suburban vet visit will be long remembered.” I wish that the circus industry not be glamorized. As someone educated on the treatment of circus animals, especially elephants, I believe the “excitement” of having three circus elephants being tested for tuberculosis should not be considered an enlightening story.

Circus elephants travel non-stop to different cities and states, and when not “performing” unnatural and uncomfortable tricks, they are chained to a wall by their legs and are unable to even move or lie down. (which can be between 20-23 hours a day).

One of the pictures clearly shows the trainer using a bull hook on the elephant’s trunk, which tears into their skin to get the elephant to do what the trainer wants. These animals have absolutely no free will when in the circus, are beaten on a regular basis, get arthritis at a young age due to “performing” and of course, are at risk of tuberculosis.

Exposes have been aired on the news regarding the circus business and people still don’t get it. I bet people don’t know that the elephant is the third-most intelligent animal in the world. Elephants belong in the wild, and all circus animals need to be retired to a sanctuary where they can roam free.

Jennifer Slavick

Lake in the Hills