UniverSoul Circus-Schizophrenic Elephants Training

the use of animals in a circus shud be illegal

Elephants do sway even if it doesn't come natural to dance to music.If they become accustomed to hearing it yes they enjoy music In elephant sanctuary they are catered to roam free. Staff often play music for them while they paint and depending on if the elephant likes the song he will sway to the beat however if theres no music and hes swaying theres something wrong. I don't agree with animal abuse of any form The bible says we must protect animals from harm except those the bible says to eat

Elephants do not naturally sway. It is an abnormal behavior that is a reaction to the stress and boredom of severe confinement. There are two Elephant sanctuaries in the US who do not exploit the elephants. I have never heard one of them say the elephants sway to music. Being kind to others is just simple decency. When someone (circuses) is making money off the exploitation of someone else (elephants)the desire to be kind is secondary, at best, to making money.

I can't believe you're saying this, inwiththenu1. Watch any documentary about elephants in their natural habitat and family groups, read scientific journals about their behavior.

Yes, Patcuvie, thanks for once again highlighting the plight of circus elephants all over the world. Many of us are with you and are against this degrading form of exploitation whose time has long since passed. It should have been banned decades ago, along with big-game trophy hunting and other idiotic, thoughtless forms of "entertainment". (Unfortuntately even trophy hunting continues today for such fellow animals as bears and big cats in the U.S. amazingly enough.) Anyway, thanks.

Our shows aren't allowed 2 b taped (like most professional shows of anykind) to prevent the reproduction of acts or as in this case, people using the vids 2 fuel their own biased agendas. I do wholeheartedly respect the effort of those of you who genuinely care for the well being of these (and all) animals, but the fact that you guys post vids that are blatently one-sided with no accompanying evidence give a thumbs dwn to anyone who disagrees, just detracts credibilty from ur point.God Bless!

patcuvie, thank you for showing the world what they cannot see for themselves. This rhythmic swaying is truly a sign of mental illness. Elephants who have been rescued and sent to sanctuary look so much different and healthier within months. A year or two after receiving sanctuary, you wouldn't even recognize the elephants as the same tortured souls who had been enslaved by the circus. I pray that someday all circus elephants will receive sanctuary. Until then, don't pay to see them.

Inwiththenu: you need to get "in with" reality, Ms. Showgirl. I worked with elephants at a rescue center in Thailand, where the happy elephants showed NO signs of swaying or other stereotypic behavior. Just because you were thoughtless enough to work at a circus and rode beaten, depressed elephants doesn't make you an expert on their natural behavior in the wild. P.S. I wonder why your "shows" aren't allowed to be taped? Is their something you're ashamed of going on?

Journey, I respect your theory but stil find it to be misinformed and biased. No need for sarcasm or cheap shots. For the record, our animals or NEVER beaten or abused, so pls don't spew hateful, defamatory info that is just plain untrue. Their are animal control employees at every show, in every city to investigate the treatment and conditions of the animals. The elephants are taught tricks by rewards (treats) much like dogs, not by physical force.

Ok, let's say your trainers are the best in the world, and never beat or use bullhooks on their elephants (unlikely). I still believe that keeping elephants imprisoned, and let out only to perform degrading, unnatural acts for clueless humans is inherently wrong. I know, you're gonna say your pachyderms are the happiest, most joyful creatures on Earth and just LOVE practicing their silly routines daily (when not caged). Somehow I don't think I'll believe you. PS Where do they spend the winter?