May 2010

Wild Performance Falls Short

Not very long ago, two trainers of wild animals were killed; one a trainer of whales, the other, a trainer of elephants. Clearly, the deaths were tragedies; but, could these painful losses have been avoided? Could better precautions have eliminated the possibility of wild animal attacks? Or maybe, a more fundamental question is: should wild animals be made to perform for our enjoyment?

Wild animals have performed in circuses and aquatic shows for centuries. Spectacles in ancient Rome to the present day animal-related acts have wowed audiences young and old around the world. For many people, they are seeing live wild animals for the very first, and maybe only, time in their lives. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, especially when circuses and aquatic parks use it all—glitter, suspense, and spectacular feats—to hide the dark suffering behind amazing animal tricks. Sadly, it is only we humans who have any voice in what will happen during these live dramas. The animals—the performing orcas, dancing bears, pliant pachyderms—never have a say, at least not unless they strike back in deadly rebellion. A bold and violent act by the animal that is not only deadly to the humans involved, but to the animals themselves who are often killed for their “unpredictable” behavior.

We must ask ourselves, are circuses and aquatic shows that use wild animals as entertainers good viewing? Or are they harmful to the animals who are often coerced into standing on a drum, jumping through a fire-ringed hoop, or playing a musical instrument? Can we ever make wild animal entertainment safe and enjoyable for both the animals and the humans?

What’s your opinion?

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