What You Need to Know Before Visiting the Circus
P.T. Barnum introduced Jumbo, an African elephant, to his shows in 1882, setting a dreadful precedent for circuses and other attractions for the next century and beyond. [1 3 6]
In May 2016, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus stopped using elephants in its performances due to public pressure, legal actions, and a shift in societal attitudes. [1 2 6 ] This decision was influenced by years of activism from animal rights groups, changing public opinion, and increasing local legislation restricting the use of wild animals in circuses. [1 3 6 ]
Once the details are known, the practice of using elephants for entertainment is so obviously unethical, immoral and cruel, several states have imposed statewide bans specifically targeting the use of elephants in entertainment, traveling shows, or circuses, including California (2019), [1 11] Colorado (2021), [2] Hawaii (2018), [3] Illinois (2017), [48] Kentucky (2022), [5 12] Massachusetts (2024), [6] New Jersey (2018), [7] New York (2017), [8] and Washington State (2025). [5] There are currently eight states and over 150 localities in 37 states that have passed various restrictions or bans. [5 7] Over 40 countries around the world prohibit the use of some or all wild animals in circuses and other traveling promotions, [9] as have 33 municipal jurisdictions in Canada. [10 13]
We review here circuses that still use elephants according to publicly available information, including promotional videos and website content.
Please note that because circuses are (for obvious reasons) aggressively secretive about how they treat animals, it’s not possible to know whether a particular circus currently engages in specific conduct but, as we discuss, there’s a plethora of demonstrative evidence of the awful past practices of the circuses discussed.
The Many Ways In Which Circus Elephants Suffer
Physical and Emotional Abuse: Circus elephants are often subjected to harsh training methods that rely on fear, pain, and punishment. Bullhooks, whips, and electrical prods are commonly used to force them to perform unnatural tricks, leading to both physical injury and psychological trauma. [1 2]
Separation from Family: Young elephants are forcibly separated from their mothers, often at just 18-24 months. This causes intense psychological distress for both the calves and their mothers, who are known for their strong familial bonds. [3]
Confinement and Deprivation: When not performing, elephants are typically confined to small spaces, often chained for hours or even days. Unlike their lives in the wild, where they roam, socialize, and forage over large distances, circus elephants are kept in isolation or forced proximity with incompatible individuals, leading to neurotic behavior and aggression. [4 5]
Physical Health Risks: The unnatural tricks circus elephants are forced to perform cause long-term musculoskeletal damage, and poor living conditions can result in premature death. Transport between venues often occurs in poor conditions, exposing elephants to extreme temperatures and limited access to food and water. [6 7]
Mental Health Consequences: Circuses are especially harmful to elephants’ mental well-being. Elephants display signs of depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of their captivity and forced performances. [8 9]
Public and Handler Safety: Due to the stress and unpredictability caused by their mistreatment, elephants can become aggressive, leading to risks for trainers and circus attendees. [10 11]
Conservation and Ethical Concerns: Some elephants are poached from the wild, directly contributing to population declines. Keeping such intelligent, sentient animals in entertainment roles is increasingly viewed as unethical and unjustified. [12 13]
In summary, elephants in circuses are subjected to substantial cruelty, deprived of natural behaviors, and endangered both their physical and psychological health. This has led to increased public outcry, legislative action, and the phasing out of elephants in reputable circuses.
