Circuses in the U.S. That Still Use Elephants

“We watched in horror”

Shrine Circuses have faced heavy criticism from numerous sources for their treatment of animals and its ethical implications. The elephants, which have traditionally been supplied by the Carson & Barnes Circus, reportedly must endure poor living conditions, including being chained for long periods, confined in cramped cages during travel, and denied access to natural behaviors or environments.

Reports document that elephants were chained by two legs in cement-block barns, confined to small paddocks with little enrichment, and often lacked access to water, shade, or mud for cooling, which are essential for their health and well-being. During travel, elephants have been forced to stand in their own waste, chained in place for up to 100 hours, and transported in vehicles lacking proper climate control. And some of the elephants used are elderly or in poor health, including with stiff joints and lameness, yet still forced to perform under threat of punishment.

An audience member captured video in 2017 showing handler Tim Frisco violently yanking a 10-year-old elephant named Val with a bullhook during a performance in Binghamton, New York. Wildlife veterinarian Dr. Heather Rally described the footage as "deeply disturbing."

"An April 13, 2001 letter to the editor published in the Chicago Sun-Times, written by a local woman from Irving Park, stated, 'I escorted a group of schoolchildren, including my 8-year-old daughter, to this year’s Medinah Shrine circus. ... When the elephants were brought behind the curtain, the trainer began verbally abusing and hitting the elephant. We watched in horror as he swung a stick with all his force and struck the elephant in the back of the leg. This must have been painful, as the elephant let out a scream that could be heard throughout the UIC Pavilion. The kids were frightened and asked me why.'"

“The trainer struck the elephants’ legs with a bullhook with full body force”

The Carden family has been cited numerous times by the USDA for failing to meet minimum standards under the Animal Welfare Act. Violations include inadequate veterinary care, unsafe enclosures, insufficient space, and poor nutrition for elephants. There are also documented incidents of abuse that include harsh treatment of elephants during training sessions; for example, a 1997 USDA observer described trainers using bullhooks (ankus) with "full body force" on elephants' legs during performances, corroborated by written testimony.

Notably, at least two of their elephants tested positive for tuberculosis, posing health risks to both animals and humans and leading to bans in several jurisdictions. Carden Circus has also received multiple federal citations for, among other things, failing to isolate elephants after potential TB exposure, ignoring foot diseases and weight loss in elephants, and leaving elephants unattended during shows.

In 2022, witnesses filmed Carden elephants Betty and Janice showing severe physical decline and psychological distress during performances, including Betty's trunk paralysis and stiff legs and Janice's constant swaying (a stereotypic behavior indicative of trauma).

“Hurt ‘em, make ‘em scream”

Carson & Barnes Circus has a long history of violations and controversies related to the treatment and welfare of elephants. The USDA has cited Carson & Barnes more than 100 times for violations of the Animal Welfare Act, including veterinary neglect, and failure to provide shelter, safe transport, and proper enclosures, among other issues.

There is undercover video evidence of Carson & Barnes handlers striking elephants with bullhooks and shocking them with electric prods. Tim Frisco, the animal care director, was captured on video during violent, behind-the-scenes training sessions. He describes how to use the bullhook by instructing trainers to “Sink that hook and give it everything you got.” He goes on to say “hurt ‘em” and “make ‘em scream,” emphasizing that “when you hear that screaming, then you know you got their attention.” Frisco demonstrates the force needed by swinging the bullhook like a baseball bat, saying, “[w]hen he starts squirming too [expletive] much, both [expletive] hands-BOOM-right under that chin.” Frisco is videotaped aggressively hooking elephants as one trumpets in agony.

“‘Shockingly cavalier’ attitude regarding the animals’ welfare”

Culpepper & Merriweather Circus has faced numerous violations related to the treatment and care of elephants and other animals. The USDA has repeatedly cited the circus for failing to provide adequate veterinary care for elephants, inadequate shelter, and insufficiently trained handlers. The circus was also cited for failing to maintain secure elephant enclosures, including sagging perimeter fences and unsafe transport trailers. The USDA suspended Culpepper & Merriweather’s exhibitor’s license for six months following a finding that it had demonstrated a “shockingly cavalier attitude regarding the health and safety of animals.”

Repeat charges of cruelty

The Franzen Bros. Circus has a long history of animal-welfare violations, as documented by multiple authorities and organizations. The USDA has repeatedly cited the circus for failing to meet the minimum federal standards under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), including inadequate veterinary care, failure to meet nutritional requirements, unsanitary conditions, and poorly maintained transport trailers. Brian Franzen has been charged and convicted of animal cruelty multiple times, including a conviction after several emaciated ponies were confiscated from a filthy trailer.

Beating the elephant with a bullhook and repeatedly whipping a tiger

Loomis Bros. Circus has a documented history of animal welfare violations and cruelty, particularly involving elephants and other wild animals used in performances. Brian Franzen, who has supplied animals for Loomis Bros., was convicted of animal cruelty after several emaciated ponies were confiscated from filthy conditions. In 2018, Franzen was caught on video striking an elephant with a bullhook and repeatedly whipping a tiger. He has also been cited for numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act, including maintaining unsanitary conditions and failing to provide adequate veterinary care.

Loomis’ methods of abuse have included forcing elephants to perform on slippery surfaces and threatening them with bullhooks and electric prods, which inflict both physical harm and psychological distress. PETA has documented specific instances where Brian Franzen was caught on video striking an elephant named Megu in the jaw with a bullhook during a performance, as well as footage of handlers jabbing elephants with prods during rides and whipping tigers in the face.

Repeated violations of welfare regulations, inadequate vet care, chaining and physical abuse

The Tarzan Zerbini Circus has faced numerous allegations and citations regarding the treatment of elephants over several decades.

The Tarzan Zerbini Circus has faced numerous allegations and citations regarding the treatment of elephants over several decades, including repeated violations of animal welfare regulations, inadequate veterinary care, chaining elephants for extended periods, and documented instances of physical abuse. Official records show that the USDA and other authorities have cited the circus for failing to provide proper care, shelter, and space for elephants, as well as for incidents involving beatings, resulting in injuries to both elephants and people. Multiple elephants were quarantined due to tuberculosis (TB) exposure, and the USDA cited the circus for failing to prevent TB transmission, including inadequate barriers and improper airflow separation between infected and healthy elephants.

There are also documented incidents of elephant abuse, including a case where an elephant associated with the Tarzan Zerbini Circus was reportedly beaten by handler John Caudill, as recorded in USDA and Canadian law enforcement records; however, clarification is needed regarding the elephant's identity.