Circus Animals Take the Ring in Altoona
By: Kevin Flanigan
Updated: April 12, 2010
ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY- Last Friday, an elephant trainer was kicked and killed while working for a circus in Northeast Pennsylvania. Now a couple of a national animal rights organizations are calling for an end to the use of wild animals as Circus acts.
With the Jaffa Shrine Circus opening on Monday in Altoona, how their animal acts are being received? This is not the Circus that was involved in that recent fatal accident involving the elephant in Pennsylvania.
Despite the complaints and concerns about how elephants and other wild animals are treated when they become part of a circus, there are plenty of people who really love those acts. Many of them were on hand at the Jaffa Shrine. The arrival of the Jaffa Circus for its week long stay in Altoona is an annual event that always draws big crows. Sponsors estimate that between 35 and 40 thousand people will attend one of the fifteen shows on the schedule between now and Sunday. One of the top draws is always the wild animal acts.
Despite complaints from some national groups about how circus animals are treated, the operators of this show say they are proud of the way they handle their animals. Sponsors of the show say they say they have no issues with how the performing animals in this Circus are treated.
Especially when it comes to the treatment of these animals, or the safety of people attending one of the shows audience members said they had few concerns based on their past experiences. When it comes to any danger that might come from the elephants or other wild animals in the circus, the people who put the show together say training and experience are the best way to avoid problems. From from acrobats and high wire acts to the animal trainers, there are lots of dangers in the circus. That' s just one more element that helps draw in the big crowds according to the people in charge of this Circus.
With the Jaffa Shrine Circus opening on Monday in Altoona, how their animal acts are being received? This is not the Circus that was involved in that recent fatal accident involving the elephant in Pennsylvania.
Despite the complaints and concerns about how elephants and other wild animals are treated when they become part of a circus, there are plenty of people who really love those acts. Many of them were on hand at the Jaffa Shrine. The arrival of the Jaffa Circus for its week long stay in Altoona is an annual event that always draws big crows. Sponsors estimate that between 35 and 40 thousand people will attend one of the fifteen shows on the schedule between now and Sunday. One of the top draws is always the wild animal acts.
Despite complaints from some national groups about how circus animals are treated, the operators of this show say they are proud of the way they handle their animals. Sponsors of the show say they say they have no issues with how the performing animals in this Circus are treated.
Especially when it comes to the treatment of these animals, or the safety of people attending one of the shows audience members said they had few concerns based on their past experiences. When it comes to any danger that might come from the elephants or other wild animals in the circus, the people who put the show together say training and experience are the best way to avoid problems. From from acrobats and high wire acts to the animal trainers, there are lots of dangers in the circus. That' s just one more element that helps draw in the big crowds according to the people in charge of this Circus.
Comments
Dont you people remember Tyke? She tried to escape her tortured life twice b4 kiling her trainer.When will we wake up and stop traveling animal shows once and for all. Canada and a dozen other countries have done so. When will the american people stop paying for there children to ride on the backs of these animals. When will the government finally grow a pair and stop these travesties against humanity. No matter how well the elephants are fed and taken care of their natural place is roming the african safari. Their "training" they speak of is actually taking a couple year old calf from its mother, chaining it up and continually beating jabbing and using electric cattle prodes untill the animals spirit is broken and it obeys verbal comands. These animals travel in badly ventillated cramped trailers from city to city up to 50 weeks outa the year. If these children at the shows stayed for an extra hour there smiles would quickly turn to tears when they saw what goes on behind the curtain.
Bob B.
April 13, 2010 at 4:08 am
