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ANIMAL condemns circus
Updated: 09-Oct-2008
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Two elephants used by the Victor Hugo Cardinali circus
for performances
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The younger elephant collapsed just a few minutes after the first picture was taken
Photos supplied by a Resident reader
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Dear Editor,
As an animal behaviourist and ex-patriot from Africa, I have to agree with the views of ANIMAL where they condemned the Victor Hugo Cardinali circus (ANIMAL condemns circus, The Resident, October 3 2008). Not only should this circus be condemned, but there must be a total ban on the exploitation of all wild animals in circuses. Not only is the statement of ANIMAL applaudable, but undeniably necessary. Wild animals, and especially elephants, quite categorically do not belong in circuses!
Coming from Africa, I have seen these animals in the wild in their natural habitat, and nothing can compare to the freedom, dignity and absolute sense of belonging that is afforded to these animals in this natural habitat. This is where they belong; in Nature and where they are able to carry out their natural behaviour without restriction and without loss. Most, if not all of these animals have wide territorial ranges and will not hesitate to use this range, travelling vast distances in their search for food, shelter and water. Life in the wild and in their natural habitat is challenging, however their structure, behaviour and physiology is designed to cope with these challenges.
Confinement in circuses leads only to an utter collapse of the dignity of these animals, which have had their natural rights stolen from them. The fact that they are forced to perform tricks which often compromise their natural behaviour and physiological needs is a travesty.
It is hardly natural for an elephant whose size is enormous and who is designed to stand squarely on all four feet, to be forced to live in a cage, then beaten into submission and finally trained to sit on a stool. The elephant is not designed for this! The same can be said for all other animals which are forced to perform in circuses. The lives that they lead and the tricks that they are forced to perform for human entertainment are so unnatural that they very often die premature deaths.
It is a known fact that these animals are badly treated and most often badly undernourished as well. Their needs are never met and their lives are anything but natural and enriched. Circus animals endure enormous stress. This can and will only lead to aberrations in behaviour, physiological challenges, illness, and will invariably prevent these animals from leading a healthy, happy and fulfilled life. This is most blatantly exemplified by the report of the elephant which collapsed at the Victor Hugo Cardinali circus.
Animals of any species do not belong in circuses in Portugal or anywhere else for that matter. Having visited Portugal and having close ties with the country, I was impressed with her peoples, climate, topography, flora and fauna. To read that such acts of negligence towards helpless animals in her circuses has been going on unchecked, leaves me greatly disillusioned. I can only hope that those responsible for such acts of cruelty are punished to the fullest extent of the law and made fully accountable for their actions, and that the practice of keeping animals is circuses is abolished forthwith. Such practices have no place in civilised, 21st century society.
Dr. Colleen McDuling, Molecular Biochemist and Animal Ethology Scientist and Specialist, UK
Dear Editor,
Cruelty to animals, in any way, shape or form, is the quintessence of evil.
Animals are the weakest of the weak and poorest of the poor, always the victims of human greed, cruelty and diabolical torture. It is incumbent upon human beings, now more than ever, to stop hurting, abusing and eating animals or exploiting them in any manner - for sport, entertainment and so on. Animal performances are banned in most European circuses. This should be the norm worldwide.
Ms Vasumathi Krishnasami, India
Dear Editor,
I read your article about the circus which is in Faro at the moment. The subject needs far more attention.
Can they show there was and is a veterinarian to guide/treat this elephant and other animals? What is their opinion, why did this happen? What did the GNR and the veterinarian do for this elephant?
It would be good to give attention to the circus, the people working there and not in the least the living conditions of the animals.
Ask your readers their opinion about animals in the circus.
Exotic animals used by the entertainment industry are typically torn from their mothers before they’re weaned, abused during training, regularly subjected to overwhelming noise, crowds and confusion and forced to live in cramped, unnatural environments.
Circus ‘entertainment’ is cruel, it’s not a humane way to have fun. These beautiful animals are continuously exploited and abused. There are so many alternatives for kids to have fun.
H. Forsythe, By email
Dear Editor,
I’m very shocked about the photo of the elephant and your little report. How is it possible?
This cruelty against elephants and other animals (surely it is) in this circus is not believable, but typical.
Look at this very, very poor, thin animal on the side on the floor - so hungry? So weak? Therefore SO ill? What happens? Where is the doctor? And is there a doctor? What says the veterinary - or is the veterinary only a corruptible, therefore speechless ghost?
It is much more than a few, dry lines - it is a scandal. Please be very involved in this drama!
Many people are interested in the protection and welfare of animals, and many people refuse to visit a circus because there’s so much cruelty to animals, especially wild animals.
Animals have rights, and if we, humans, want to call ourselves humans, we have to save their rights. It is so easy.
Please don’t look away.
Karin Schmidt, Germany
Dear Editor,
How can things like this still be going on in Europe in this day and age? This is obviously a very, very young elephant. Where are its parents? Where did it come from and how was it purchased? I am sure that it is totally illegal for an elephant like this to be kept by a circus in Europe.
I am taking the matter up immediately with the group Animal to see what can be done. I live in Greece – which is also bad for animals – but not yet seen this....
I think it should be known that, in the light of ongoing publicity regarding ‘Madeleine’, and the subsequent exposure of the total inefficiency of the security forces, that Portugal has already managed to give herself an appalling profile within Europe. Already there are a lot of people who would not consider going to it for a holiday.
One can be sure that images such as these of this elephant will not make things any better. I would imagine that anyone considering a future holiday in Portugal will think more than twice if they think they are going to encounter such spectacles of animal abuse – along with all the ‘usual’ ones of abandoned cats and dogs and general ‘other’ animal stuff. And let’s not even START on the bullfights that are still permitted!
Going to Portugal for two weeks would be a lovely break for us – but we will not be considering it until Portugal and its thinking, feeling, educated people FINALLY make the stand and force some laws through..... And, for me, it will not be until then...
Sharon Huyshe, Greece
Dear Editor,
I want to congratulate you on this article showing the elephant on the floor, totally stressed. It is proof of how animals are mistreated in circuses, which is not a place for them. I do hope soon all circuses will have no more animals.
Virgínia de Paula, Brazil
Dear Editor,
I support PORTUGUESE animal rights association ANIMAL and their comments against the circuses which use animals instead of real human artists and performers.
It is really sad to see that NO ONE really cares for this poor elephant and for other animals which worked all their life under stress and abuse. And what for? This kind of circus is not fun anymore. For example this is the real circus with real artists - www.cirquedusoleil.com. Animals are not involved in this spectacle.
I am not totally aware of Portuguese laws, but I believe that this circus did not comply with all sanitary and health preventions that they are OBLIGATED TO as they are working with wild elephants.
I believe that this circus is breaking city codes and acts... I would like to see this investigated, so we can all know what is going on, and who gave illegal “permit” for something that is not done to the standards.
In addition, many wild animals can harbour many diseases transmissible to humans, including herpes B, pox viruses, measles, hepatitis, tuberculosis, salmonella, ringworm, and other bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. …. rabies.
The animals may be confined for hours, even days, in their travelling cages. The trainers use different training methods that are considered very inhumane. Whips, spikes, hotshots and electric shock devices are used to get the animals to do tricks that are unnatural for the animals. Further to that, a circus with Animals is also considered dangerous for the public.
Jelena Zaric, Serbia
Dear Editor,
I find it incredible that circuses are still allowed to use, or mis-use, animals for the entertainment of us humans. Do we realise how terribly these beautiful creatures of the wild, and domestic, have to suffer for our pleasure and palate? I am from Africa and the sight of an elephant in the wild never fails to be stared at in wonder and admiration. How sad that these emperors of the Savannah are so pathetically abused by ignorant and stupid circus owners. And for what? Money! Disgusting!
Please help that animals are banned from circuses all over the world.
G.Chapuis, By email
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