WILD ANIMALS IN CIRCUS
Safety
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"That tiger didn't go crazy, that tiger went tiger"
-Chris Rock
Wild animals used in circus performances tend to be large and powerful, and many possess sharp canine teeth and claws capable of causing serious injury or death (Robinson, 2003). The risks of animal attacks on public can occur through direct attack, escape, or loss of handler control. These risks increase when animals are living under poor welfare conditions, inadequate safety measures, and excessive handling and transport (Robinson, 2003). After a certain period of prolonged stress, behaviors can be unpredictable and animals may react negatively to their environments which results in escape and attacks (Robinson, 2003).
In relation to the video, tigers can not be trained in a human manner because of their natural instinct. The only way a lion or tiger can be controlled is by being beaten into submission and this is simply wrong.
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The Tragic Life of Tyke
Tyke was born on 1974 and died in 1994 after being shot by the police 86 times
in 1994, an African elephant named Tyke escaped from Circus International matinee in Hawaii. Tyke not only crushed her trainer to death, but also injured 12 spectators. She ran loose in the streets for approximately 30 minutes until she was shot more than 80 times and killed by the police. This suggests that once these animals escape, it becomes difficult to control them, imposing a risk to not only the public and trainers but the animals itself.
Transmission of Disease
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a major problem in the circus since it affects many species but it is most common in elephants. According to United States Department of Agriculture (2017), Tuberculosis is a contagious disease and can be transmitted from livestock to humans and other animals, but human to human transmission is unlikely. Tuberculosis can be transmitted by either close contact to the infected animal or by catching it simply from air (Michalak 1998).