Major reason for increasing number of endangered species is loosely held animal protection laws, and adding to the issue is people in other countries have started either consuming or abusing animal for their own selfish reason of hunger or livelihood. I think there needs to be increase in the security of these endangered species if we wish to prevent their abuse.

You guy's are great! Your children are so lucky to have parents who are really thinking about what they are exposed to and how they will take in the world.

I believe the pictures say it all (and also records and video footage are public domain for all to review if you wish). For those still in doubt most animal behavior specialist's around the world concur that captivity for wild endangered animals is in and of itself abusive and causes trauma to the animal, ie the rocking and bobbing motion of elephants from being chained to the floor for 12-26 hours is a sign of anxiety and stress, etc. It drives them insane or into a deep depression, not to mention the injury it causes to the body from rep tricks and long stretches of time standing in place.

And as for what it does to a child who sees it? "To see a bear ride a bicycle, it is ridicule. You're really just laughing at that bear", says Mel Levine, a renowned pediatrician at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who has written numerous books about child behavior and the way children learn. "So the question is: What's the message are you giving to kids when you take them to the circus and they laugh at the animals? I think to laugh at the animals is to devalue them." And laughing at animals as they do unnatural tricks can transfer to human relationships and to the playground, Levine said. Why do we want an ape to act like a human? Why not have an ape act like an ape? There is an implicit message of intolerance. I don't think it's a long distance from ridiculing animals to laughing at other people. Then you have kids singling out and laughing at the fat kid. Or it can lead to racial intolerance."

It's a lot to take in and consider and for some it is just an ideological difference. For me I wouldn't go the circus if you paid me, I think it is just sad. I have seen wild elephants and cats in Africa and I can't see what the fun is in seeing majestic animals being forced to perform degrading tricks??

Thanks for listening, best of luck!

P.S. Oops I did not directly address your question. Yes these pics are real. They were provided by an ex Ringling Bros. employee who died ( natural causes) shortly after blowing the whistle. The pictures are of what they call the "nursery" . This very real training starts right after birth. They illegally breed at their "conservation center" in Florida by artificial insemination. The mother is chained to the floor while giving birth so that the vet can immediately remove the baby the minute the baby is born, as to avoid being attacked by the mother because they are fiercely maternal and protective over their family. This is absolutely heartbreaking to watch, the birthing mother is so uncomfortable but unable to move because she is chained and then she must watch as they take her baby away in front of her, they do not allow her to clean her baby, comfort her baby or even touch her baby. Both the mother and baby cry for one another of course, it is almost unbearable to watch the video. They do all of this to yield greater control over the infant, physically force obedience and create fear so that is instilled throughout their life. The reason why this is allowed to take place is because no law ultimately protects any animal, they have no rights. In the eyes of the law they are property. Having said that there are "laws" in place that are supposed to safeguard certain endangered species such as elephants but the law has many loopholes and the USDA who oversees the law is completely toothless. The courts NEVER side with the animal. It is really a horrible stain on our government and on us and the worst for the helpless animals. RBBBC has so many citations and lawsuits waged against them, so much undercover footage and even court testimonies attesting to laws being broken and abuse I finally had to stop printing after a few days. But still their license has not been taken away. We can write to USDA, join action groups, write RBBBC and DO NOT GO TO THE CIRCUS. I am hoping that this archaic practice will end in our lifetime.

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SCARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I♥ANIMALS

These animals are very intelligent and sensitive. You must read Water For Elephants and you will know more that you want to know. But, it is a great book.

The animal abuse has been a serious issue especially in the third world countries where animals are a means of earning their livelihood. And id to expect more of this with the loose animal protection laws that are implemented

I wonder if everything is true and what will come of this? Thanks for commenting Tara.

I have heard for years about the abuse of circus animals. I have never taken my kids to a circus, just because I never wanted to support any animal abuse. It breaks my heart to think of animals being abused and forced to "work".