Are circuses a detriment to elephant welfare based on the standard of living, nature of the business and training routines?
Elephants in circuses are subject to absolute control, social and physical deprivation and in many cases, psychological and physical violence.
Circus elephants are transported in dark carriers for many hours with little or no food and water, chained and housed in concrete, poorly lit barns and are required to work for long hours without breaks
Circuses employ a “dominance-based free contact” approach to elephant control.
A variety of tools and methods that cause intense pain, distress and injury are employed to limit elephant behaviour and movement.
Negative reinforcement techniques are a part of regular training as it allows the trainer later to yield relatively less force in most cases.
