The founder of the Ringling Brothers circus,
P.T. Barnum, boasted that “there’s a sucker
born every minute." Therefore, it is up to the public
to become educated about what really goes on behind the
Big Top, and to patronize only those circuses that do not
use animal acts, such as Cirque du Soleil.
As more people learn the truth about what
goes on under the Big Top, there are increasing efforts
to ensure that these cruel practices are halted through
the enactment of local ordinances and other legislation
in different states and cities throughout the country.
For a list of these legislative efforts and to find out
how you can support them, go to: http://www.api4animals.org/b4_legislation.php
Hosting a panel discussion on circuses or animals in entertainment to coincide with the circus coming to your town will help educate people in your community and get them to think about the pros and cons of attending the circus. If you are interested in having a former circus employee speak at an event or assist you with a press conference please contact the Wildlife Advocacy Project.
Sending Letters to the Editor of your local newspaper is a great way to educate people about these issues.
Few people realize what it really takes
to force highly intelligent animals to perform unnatural
“tricks” in the circus. Once people –
especially animals lovers – learn what is actually
entailed, they often choose not to patronize this kind of
anachronistic “entertainment.” Explaining
to family and friends about the real life on the road; these
animals experience will help them make informed decisions
about whether or not to attend the circus.
With the help of former Ringling Brothers
employee Tom Rider, who has had both the courage to speak
out and the inside knowledge to do so intelligently, The
Wildlife Advocacy Project is currently conducting a public
education campaign throughout the country – to educate
parents, children, teachers, students, grass roots groups,
legislators and the media about the mistreatment of elephants
at the circus. Mr. Rider is traveling around the country,
in a used van, so that he can contact the local media when
the circus comes to town and tell them about his experiences
at the circus. His efforts have resulted in numerous
articles and broadcast news reports that shed light on the
cruel treatment of the elephants. To see some of the
stories Mr. Rider has generated click
here. If you want to help The Wildlife
Advocacy Project to speak for the elephants, please make
a tax deductible contribution to this project by sending
a check to:
The Wildlife Advocacy Project
1601 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20009
(Marked: Elephant Project)
Or you can make a tax deductible contribution through Helping.org
(please indicate that this contribution is for the Elephant Project).
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