Intelligent, Noble Beasts Brutalized For Our Fun

Sat., March 21, 1998

Stephanie Swan Special To Opinion

Last year, I viewed a 40-minute video about the training and discipline of circus elephants. Shockingly graphic, the video showed these beautiful animals reduced to mere shadows of their natural selves, their spirits broken through isolation, chaining, strict confinement and persistent beatings.

The video was extremely difficult to watch, but it altered my view of the world irrevocably and I became an animal-rights advocate.

Through my studies this past year I have found the following facts:

Elephants are highly active, intelligent, social, peaceful and dignified animals with individual personalities. In the wild, the herd walks and forages 18 hours a day, exploring their territory and chasing off intruders.

These activities keep them physically and mentally healthy. Mud and dirt baths to keep their sensitive skin from sun-burning, the constant vigilance of the mothers and aunts for the babies, and the mourning of the dead - all are part of the elephant rituals. Because they are intelligent and sensitive, the lack of these rituals leaves elephants stressed, frustrated, bored, and physically and mentally ill.

So, let’s think about the circus. These large animals are stuffed into boxcars and trailers, and chained for immobilization. Elephants travel for days in all weather extremes, standing in their own excrement. Food and water are withheld. Upon reaching their destination, they are unloaded, hosed off and fed, and then forced to perform unnatural and undignified tricks, all in the name of entertainment. Imagine an 8,000-pound animal standing on one foot!

Personally, I find it sickening, not entertaining. Also, circusgoers have witnessed elephants being tranquilized to keep these potentially dangerous animals down, especially during elephant rides. Reports abound of distraught elephants rampaging through city streets, to be brought down in a hail of gunfire. All elephants, sick, old and even babies, are forced into submission by whipping, beatings, the ever-present bull hook and electric-shock treatment.

I am committed to making a difference for these creatures I have grown to love and respect. I will continue to protest animal circuses, work for legislation and support sanctuaries where elephants can live a natural life. I will do this for the rest of my life. That 40-minute video changed me and I am thankful.

MEMO: Your Turn is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a Your Turn column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write Your Turn, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615.

Your Turn is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a Your Turn column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write Your Turn, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615.

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