Category — Legislation

The circus has arrived in Las Vegas but this year things might be different. Ringling Bros. is waiting a decision by a federal judge as to whether endangered elephants can be used in their circus. All of the circus elephants have foot problems from standing on concrete and from being forced to do tricks that are unnatural for the animal. – Las Vegas Now

Almost half of New York City’s City Council Members have signed a bill that would “prohibit the display of wild or exotic animals for public entertainment or amusement”. Many animals, in addition to elephants, are included in the bill, although everyone admits this legislation is targeting Ringling Bros. and their use of elephants in the circus.

NYTimes.com

Representative Urban has been trying to push a bill through since 2005 that would require the humane treatment of elephants. This would impact the elephants that perform for the Ringling Bros. circus.

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Fairfield County Weekly

Information about the beginning of the elephant abuse trial against Ringling Brothers.

The Gazette

“Kenya’s high court on Friday awarded a British woman 65 million shillings (£533,000) in damages after she was attacked and seriously wounded by an elephant while staying at a safari lodge in 2000. ” – (via) Telegraph

“Elephant owners, mahouts and veterinarians are getting together to frame guidelines for the management of captive elephants in Kerala to ensure the animals are not overworked and ill-treated.
The Elephant Welfare Association of the state will hold a meeting on June 29 in Thrissur, about 300km from here, to draw up a set of rules for the owners and handlers of captive elephants.” – Gulf Times

“A female elephant from Assam is in the midst of an ownership battle between the administration of the famous Manki temple here and the forest department.” – Newindpress.com

“A Nantucket scrimshaw dealer and a Ukrainian man are facing charges of smuggling sperm whale teeth and elephant ivory in violation of international treaties and a federal endangered species protection laws.” – International Herald Tribune

“The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services ordered a circus-elephant keeper to pack his three elephants and leave town Thursday for violating the federal Animal Welfare Act.” – LA Daily News

“For almost four hours today, a City Council committee heard testimony and debated an ordinance regarding the treatment of circus elephants.” – Chicago Tribune

“An animal-rights activist group is pushing the Metro Council to ban traveling circuses from using bullhooks and electric prods on elephants.” – 2theadvocate.com

“Caparisoned elephants are displayed accompanied by the traditional panchavadyam orchestra on Thrissur Pooram every year.” – IBN Live

“The Elephant Owners Federation state committee meet here on Saturday has urged Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan to intervene on issues related to the management of trained domestic elephants in the State.” – Newindpress.com

“And now with the recent rejection of a bill last week that would have prohibited the use of elephants in traveling circuses, the Cole Brothers Circus will continue performances in Abington as it always has.” – Abington Mariner

“Alderman Mary Ann Smith is pushing for a city ordinance that would ban cruelty towards elephants. She came up with the idea last year after three elephants died at the Lincoln Park Zoo, but now it’s an issue again because the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus is planning its November run at the United Center.” – Chicagoist

“The Kerala government on Saturday directed officials concerned to strictly implement laws under The Captive Elephant Management Rules following a rise in the number of incidents involving elephants participating in temple festivals becoming wild,causing hardship to people.” – The Hindu

“The Humane Society of the United States and its international arm, Humane Society International, today applauded new regulations on elephant management announced by the South African government on Monday.” – African Path

“Legalising the culling of elephants has infuriated animal- rights groups.” – The Times