{"id":125221,"date":"2011-08-11T14:38:00","date_gmt":"2011-08-11T18:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.peta.org\/issues\/elephants-broken-spirits\/"},"modified":"2024-04-02T02:25:53","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T09:25:53","slug":"elephants-broken-spirits","status":"publish","type":"issue","link":"https:\/\/www.peta.org\/issues\/animals-in-entertainment\/circuses\/elephants-broken-spirits\/","title":{"rendered":"Captive Elephants: Broken Spirits"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/div>\n

Elephants in circuses and roadside zoos are denied everything that gives their life meaning. Many become neurotic, unhealthy, depressed, and aggressive as a result of the inhumane conditions in which they\u2019re kept. Thanks to decades of field research, we know that they are highly social animals who live in matriarchal herds, protect one another, forage for fresh vegetation, play, bathe in rivers, and share mothering responsibilities for the herds\u2019 babies. Their ability to feel pain\u2014as well as sorrow, joy, and happiness\u2014rivals our own. In the wild, they walk up to 30 miles and are active for 18 hours each day.<\/p>\n

In order to be used for rides and circus performances,\u00a0still-nursing\u00a0baby elephants<\/a>\u2014usually between 18 and 24 months of age\u2014are roped around all four legs and dragged away from their mothers. From that point forward, they\u2019re punished every time they attempt to engage in any type of instinctive, natural behavior until finally their spirits are broken and they become submissive and obedient.<\/p>\n

Elephants form extremely close bonds with their families, and the mothers are intensely maternal and emotional. They experience great psychological trauma when they can only watch as their babies are taken away and tormented.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Animals used in circuses\u00a0and used for rides live a dismal life in which they are dominated, imprisoned, and violently trained. Workers routinely\u00a0beat, shock, and whip<\/a>\u00a0them until they learn to perform meaningless, confusing tricks that have no connection to their natural instincts and behavior.<\/p>\n

Most elephants used by circuses and roadside zoos were captured in the wild and forced to leave their freedom and families behind. They will never be released to the wild.<\/p>\n

If you love elephants, never go to a circus that uses them.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the wild, elephants form strong social bonds, and walk up to 30 miles each day. 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