Animal-rights activists air concerns at circus

Jace Radke

Monday, June 29, 1998 | 11:25 a.m.

Cars jammed with children heading to the circus at the Thomas and Mack Center Friday were greeted by about 20 animal rights protesters in the parking lot.

The protesters said they wanted to bring attention to what they claim is the mistreatment of animals by Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus.

"These animals have been thrown into a life of degradation and despair," said Linda Faso, the protesters' spokesperson. "The only way out for these animals is death.

"I'm in favor of circuses but only those that have performers that choose to perform. The only animal that can make that choice is a human."

According to the circus' website (www.ringling.com) the animals that participate in the shows are well cared and receive regular grooming, feeding and watering.

The company also says that the railroad cars used to transport the animals are specially designed so that the animals are comfortable. The train also makes regular stops for feeding, watering and cleaning of the stalls.

Faso disagrees.

"The people only see what goes on in the three rings," Faso said. "In reality these animals are chained and housed in cages barely big enough for their body mass."

Faso points to the story of Kenny, a Ringling Bros. baby elephant who died Jan. 25.

The 3 1/2-year-old elephant was being treated with antibiotics for a bacterial or viral gastrointestinal infection when it died. The death raised the eyebrows of the U.S. Department of Agriculture which charged the circus with violating the Animal Welfare Act by making the elephant perform while it was sick.

Ringling Bros. spokesman Rodney Huey said the circus was remorseful over the animal's death.

"We know we did everything humanly possible to save Kenny," Huey said. "It was just one of those sad things."

Pat Derby, director of the Performing Animal Welfare Society, said elephants as young as Kenny should not be separated from their mothers or forced to work when sick.

"These elephants frequently nurse for four to six years," Derby said. "It (Ringling Bros.) is a sweat shop for baby elephants."

The circus argues that it does treat the animals well as evidenced by its Center for Elephant Conservation.

The center was established on a 200-acre parcel of land in central Florida in 1995. The $5 million facility is set aside for elephant breeding and retirement.

The center and the circus' efforts have not changed Faso's opinion of Ringling Bros.

"Too many animals have died in the past in the name of entertainment," Faso said. "P.T. Barnum once said, 'There is a sucker born every minute,' and the people that go to his circus are being suckered by slick ads while animals pay the price."