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Kelsey Cashwell
Jessica Morton
UWRT 1101
10 April 2016
Animals Are Not Ours to Use for Entertainment
All around America animals can be seen in movies, marine shows, circuses, zoos, and
many other places. What some may not realize is these animals are being tortured and treated
incorrectly. It is wrong for us to make animals do things out of their nature for our own selfish
entertainment. Although there are many reasons that we should stop this heinous act (which I
will cover later in the essay) the most important reason is because it is not only harmful for the
animals themselves to be in captivity, but it is also harmful or even fatal for humans. Animals
should not under any circumstances be used in the entertainment business for the safety of the
animals and the safety of humans.
Circuses. Since the 1700s people have flocked to circuses to enjoy seeing clowns,
acrobats, aerial artists, knife swallowers, and also many types of exotic animals. To this day
circuses are still a popular attraction. The most well known traveling circus being Ringling Bros.
and Barnum & Bailey circus (Jando). Ringling Bros. circus travels to over 115 cities across
America every year and entertain thousands of people (Ringling Bros.). Although the show may
look like a fun time, if you look behind the scenes you see something else. One of the most
anticipated parts of the show are the animal stunts and skits. Circuses use animals such as bears,
elephants, tigers, lions, birds, sea lions, and even domestic animals such as dogs and cats to

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entertain their guests (Jando). What most people do not know is that these animals are being
treated harshly. Animals were not made to jump through hoops, ride bikes, or stand on their
heads (Circuses). To force them to do these acts trainers use whips, muzzles, electric prods,
bullhooks, tight collars, and other torturous tools. Circuses are able to abuse their animals with
no penalty because no government agencies monitor the training styles. It is not uncommon for
circus animals to leave training sessions bloody, bruised, and beaten. Ringling Bros. starts
elephant training when they are just helpless babies so they grow up not knowing anything else
but performing meaningless and uncomfortable tricks. Not only do these animals grow up
thinking abuse is a part of their lifestyle they are also accustomed to living in small spaces and
being constantly on the road. Circus animals are confined in boxcars, trucks, or trailers for many
days and often have to endure extreme temperatures. In 2004 a two year old Ringling Brothers
lion named Clyde died in transit while crossing the Mojave Desert due to sweltering
temperatures (Kaufman 2004). When the USDA launched the investigation a recently fired
worker said they knew of the animals extreme dehydration and knew the risk of heat stroke and
did not stop the car to cool the animal. In addition to unacceptable traveling conditions the
animals also have bad on site confinement. When they are on location they are stored in
cramped cages with many other animals and are forced to eat, drink, sleep, and urinate in the
same space (Circuses). Many animals have harmed themselves or even died trying to escape
the tightly packed cages. When animals are kept in these small spaces they can often become
frustrated and have a personality change. After enduring years of physical torture sometimes they
snap and become very dangerous. Exotic animals can be hard to contain when they decide they

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are not taking the abuse anymore. If this happens trainers can no longer protect themselves and
this also puts the public who enjoy these events in danger. For example, on January 8, 2000 in
Thodupuzha, Kerala, India during a jumbo show parade of 75 circus elephants one man died
and several other spectators were severely injured when three baby elephants escaped their
trainers during the show. The elephants not only harmed the spectators but also smashed several
cars and damaged other property on their rampage (Animal Incidents at the Circus 2009). Due
to the increasing number of these events many communities have banned the use of animals in
circuses.
Zoos. Zoos can be found in over 10,000 places worldwide (Blease 2006). Zoos are places
where you can go to visit hundreds of exotic animals that you may not see during your everyday
life. Their purpose being to display the animals and educate the public. The Humane Society of
the United States says that zoos serve a demonstrable purpose in the long term benefit of
animals (Zoos and Other Exhibitors). Although zoos claim to exist solely for educational
purposes we also selfishly keep them for our own amusement. Most visitors only stay a few
minutes at each enclosure and treat each exhibit like a wallpaper (Zoos: Pittiful Prisons).
Many zoos vary in their size and quality. Zoos attract millions of years, but mostly zoos have to
use their money to cut costs and add gimmicks that will attract visitors so they can keep their
doors open (Satchell). In 2003 it was reported that half of the nations zoos were having problems
with funds and the attendance for zoos has diminished to approximately 3% across the United
States (Barnes 2003). Unfortunately, since the zoos funds are not where they should be they cut
corners on adequate living conditions for the animals (Zoos: Pitiful Prisons). Instead some zoos
try and make cosmetic improvements to their establishments in hopes of attracting more visitors.

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This can be a fatal mistake not only to the animals of the zoo but to its visitors. On June of 2015
there was a deadly flood in Tbilisi, Georgia (Chaos and Panic 2015). A nearby zoo that was
within the floods grasp lost almost half of its 600 population zoo to the flood. The other half
couldnt be accounted for. Later that day the city was warned to stay indoors due to the amount
of dangerous animals such as bears, hippos, lions, wolves, and tigers roamed the city. Officials
said that 12 people were killed and approximately 24 other people were missing. All of this
could have been avoided if the zoo wouldve had safe enclosures for the animals. This is not the
only problem with zoos. Animals in zoos can develop a condition called zoochosis (Good 2014).
When animals are put in captivity they literally get all of their freedom ripped away from them.
Sometimes animals are unsure of how to adapt to their new environment and begin to display
severe stress, anxiety, and boredom. Zoochosis is a term coined in 1992 by Bill Travers and
characterizes odd and repetitive behaviors that captive animals sometimes display. These
behaviors can be pacing, rocking, swaying, vomiting, self-harm, over-grooming, and can become
overly aggressive. Animals should not be driven to the point of harming themselves because they
are so stressed out by a new environment. Although some zoos try and create a lifelike and
accurate environment for the animals it can never replace being out in the wild (Zoos: Pitiful
Prisons). No animal should have to spend their lives in a prison like cell just for the amusement
of people.
Aquariums and Marine Parks. Another popular animal attraction are marine animals.
They are displayed in places such as SeaWorld and various aquariums all over the world. The
animals in these places vary from orcas, dolphins, penguins, polar bears, flamingos, sea turtles,

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beluga whales, sharks and many more animals (SeaWorld Orlando). For many years people
have protested the big marine parks such as SeaWorld and MarineLand. In these parks animals
perform meaningless tricks for our own entertainment. The killer whales put on at least three
shows a day where they interact with their trainers to put on a great and entertaining show (Park
Hours and Show Schedules). What some of the onlookers do not realize is that these animals
live in small habitats and often have never been given the freedom to roam the ocean. The orca
tanks can be compared to us living in a bathtub for the rest of our lives (Aquariums and Marine
Parks). In the wild these whales can swim up to 100 miles a day (8 Reasons Orcas Dont
Belong at SeaWorld). In order to do that in captivity they would have to swim 1, 208 laps to
reach that distance. They often swim around in circles for hours and are deprived of the right to
swim freely or to engage in any natural behaviors. Unfortunately, there are dire consequences of
keeping these large animals in small tanks. Wild male orcas will usually live for 60 to 70 years
and wild female orcas can live for 80 to over 100 years. When they are put in captivity their life
spans decrease to only 30 to 50 years. SeaWorld tells their visitors during the orca tours that it is
normal for these animals to only live 30 to 50 years when it is not. The average age of death for
orcas at SeaWorld is only 13 years old. Another lie SeaWorld tells is that a collapsed dorsal fin in
common. But if an orca with a collapsed dorsal fin is seen in the wild it is a sign of an injured or
sick orca. The collapsed dorsal fin is likely caused from the lack of space for them to swim and
their diets. Captive orcas diets consists of something called gelatin. Gelatin is made of pig and
cow bones which is obviously not usually what orcas eat. Tilikum, one of SeaWorlds many
orcas, consumes 83 pounds of gelatin every day. Because of their inadequate living environments
the orcas can often become violent or exhibit unsual behaviors. In the wild there has only been
one report of an orca harming a human (Aquariums and Marine Parks). In captivity there have

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been hundreds of accounts that orcas have become dangerous and exhibited aggressive
behaviors. A SeaWorld orca named Tilikum has killed three since 1991. Not only do the orcas
attack humans they also attack other whales. In the wild orcas travel in packs ranging from 2 to
15 whales and have strong social bonds (8 Reasons Orcas Dont Belong at SeaWorld). They
usually stay with their families for life. In captivity they are put with whales that they are
unfamiliar with and this can sometimes lead to altercations. In the wild if there is a fight they can
just swim away but this isnt the case in captivity. When fights occur in captivity there is
nowhere for the whales to swim to so they can get severely injured and even kill each other.
Much like in zoos the marine animals also show signs of zoochosis. It has been documented
that orcas have destroyed their teeth by gnawing on metal cage bars. The treatment of the orcas
isnt the only problem that SeaWorld has. SeaWorld has over 15 different types of animals in
their parks that live in the same harsh conditions that the orcas live in (SeaWorld Orlando)
Dolphins also perform about three to four shows a day and spend much of their time training and
aimlessly circling the pool ("Aquariums and Marine Parks."). There is nothing natural about
keeping animals in such small spaces and neither the animals nor the humans benefit from
animals in captivity.
Other types of of Animal Entertainment. There are many other ways that animals are used
for our own entertainment. We use animals on TV and in movies, people keep exotic animals as
pets, we use them in games, as horse drawn carriages, in horse racing, dog fighting, etc. In all of
these aspects animals are kept in small cages and are forced to do things that are out of their
nature. There have been many instances that animals have been harmed in these activities and
people have also been harmed for participating in these events.

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What you can do. As I have explained throughout my paper it is unacceptable for us to
continue using animals as entertainment. These animals shouldnt have to live in small confined
spaces unable to swim, jump, climb, and run freely as they were made to do (Animals Used for
Entertainment). We can learn from animals by visiting them in their own environments or
reading or watching videos on them. They are not ours to use as we please. If you are wondering
what you can do to help there are a few things you can do. First and foremost, stop visiting these
establishments. You can encourage local aquariums to create more space for the animals or
encourage them to release the animals back into the wild. You can also boycott these
establishments and sign petitions. And the most important thing you can do is inform people
about how dangerous and unnatural it is to have animals be kept in captivity. If you wouldnt
want people hitting you to make you do something, or standing on your head, or watching you
while you have a mental breakdown why should we do this to our animals? Animals deserve the
same respect humans get and its time we change.

Works Cited
Circuses." PETA. PETA, n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2016. <http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-inentertainment/circuses/>.
"Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus." Ringling Bros Circus. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr.
2016.
Jando, Dominique. "SHORT HISTORY OF THE CIRCUS." - Circopedia. N.p., n.d. Web.18 Apr.
2016.
Kaufman, Marc. "USDA Investigates Death of Circus Lion." Washington Post. The Washington
Post, 8 Aug. 2004. Web. 18 Apr. 2016.
"Animal Incidents at the Circus." Animal Incidents at the Circus. The Humane Society of the
United States, 23 Oct. 2009. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.
Blease, Thornton W. "CSA - Are Zoos Necessary." CSA - Are Zoos Necessary. Common Sense
for Animals, 31 Jul. 2006. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.
"Zoos and Exhibitors: The Humane Society of the United States." Zoos and Other Exhibitors.
The Humane Society of the United States, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.
Satchell, Michael. Cruel and Usual: How Some of Americas Best Zoos Get Rid of Their Old,
Infirm, and Unwanted Animals, U.S. News and World Report. 19 Apr. 2016
Barnes, Brooks. Outings: A Bear Market for Zoos, The Wall Street Journal. 30 May 2003.
Web. 19 Apr. 2016.
"Zoos: Pitiful Prisons." PETA. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, n.d. Web. 19 Apr.
2016.

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"Chaos and Panic: Deadly Floods Bring Fear over Escaped Zoo Animals | Fox News." Fox
News. FOX News Network, 14 June 2015. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.
Good, Kate. "Zoochosis: What Really Happens to Animals in Captivity (VIDEO)." One Green
Planet. N.p., 23 May 2014. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.
"Aquariums and Marine Parks." PETA. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, n.d. Web.
19 Apr. 2016.
"Park Hours and Show Schedules." SeaWorld. SeaWorld, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.
"8 Reasons Orcas Don't Belong at SeaWorld - SeaWorld of Hurt." SeaWorld of Hurt. SeaWorld
of Hurt, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.
"SeaWorld Orlando Florida Theme Park & Attractions." SeaWorld Orlando Florida Them
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"Animals Used for Entertainment." PETA. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.