Which will end first in the US: Elephants being used in the circus or animals being used to test cosmetics?

Circus

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by Indy Anna

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The War On Abuse

We all know the debate between use of animals in the circus and animals used in the testing of cosmetics. Now who has it worse? Let's see, tiny rodents' sprayed and tortured with chemicals or large human like creatures beaten and broken in order to perform useless tricks. Which of the two wrongs will be abolished first?

I think it really comes down to two things: visibility and public appeal. In order for change to happen people must be made aware of a problem and they must also be able to sympathize with the situation. That is why I think the public will eventually turn the tide on the ill treatment of elephants before tackling the cosmetic testing issue. Elephants are after all always in the spot light.

Oh Momma, look at the elephants!

It is hard to dismiss something that is constantly put up for display. I've been to a circus, I found myself absolutely fascinated with the four legged wonders. Strangely, I have often wondered what it would be like to ride one of these beasts; I imagine the view would be spectacular; though a little frightening. One fall could prove to be as deadly as any miss step off a second story balcony. I hate to say it but elephants attract large crowds.

On one end of the spectrum you have tiny children wide eyed and filled with curiosity escorted by parents who would much rather relax at home. On the other side of the fence stands a different sort of crowd. Theses are the folks who are educated in what is involved in what goes on behind the scenes. Listen to their protests as they lift up signs in favor of abolishing the practice of forcing animals to perform at all. When the tent is erected for the masses, the masses show up no matter what the agenda is.

Elephants for the most part are not only extremely large but they are also quite docile and obedient. At least that is what the hype is. The reality is something else all together. Unlike dogs and cats elephants are not domesticated. They may appear to be friendly and approachable, but without the trainer's careful vigilance, an elephant should never be trusted. After all an African elephant can be a towering thirteen feet high with the body mass of eight tons. So the question is; how brave are you?

How safe are we?

Ever wonder what would happen if one of these creatures just lost it, how much devastation and havoc could one possibly cause? It may surprise you, In the United States alone, one elephant trainer a year will die in an animal attack. A rampaging animal will literally destroy property and turn its trainer if it is pushed long and hard enough. In a situation where the animal can not be contained, the authorities have no choice but to shoot the elephant in cold blood. Attacks are not all that uncommon; if you search the Internet you could probably find hundreds of articles on this subject. Still if this is such a big problem (pardon the pun) why is it not addressed. When is the entertainment value more important than the lives at risk? Who is to blame?

Let us start at the heart of the issue, the elephant trainers themselves. How do you get a large untamed animal to perform? "The fact is, animals do not naturally ride bicycles, stand on their heads, balance on balls, or jump through rings of fire. To force them to perform these confusing and physically uncomfortable tricks, trainers use whips, tight collars, muzzles, electric prods, bull hooks, and other painful tools of the trade".
(Circuses.com )

Yep, it's true; Big Betsy didn't do that trick because it was of her own free will. Trainers will use whatever means, just to make the mighty dollar; after all the show must go on or starvation is a distinct possibility. Animals in this profession are treated as nothing more than objects unworthy of any of human comforts. What most people fail to realize is that these gentle beasts are highly intelligent with a lengthy life span. Elephants do feel pain and will morn for the lost of a loved one. Why is it such a leap to think that they might feel certain amount of resentment, when they are treated so poorly?

Cosmetics, anyone?

The cosmetic industry is a lucrative cash cow, it is no wonder companies are so tight lipped on the methods used in testing. What is clear is that using animals as test subjects have been the standard in recent past. Though some companies are moving away from this practice, it's really hard to be sure. Labs for the most part are not open to the general public. I'm sure there have been animal rights groups that have slipped members in, in an attempt to expose the truth. But other than that the public is not well aware of what goes on behind close doors. It's a shame really. It is sad to see rats and rabbits forced to ingest, inhale or be doused with chemicals to determine the toxicity of a given product. It is actually unnecessary as it is not a requirement of the Food and Drug Administration. In fact, with today's technology, alternative methods have proved to be more cost efficient and more accurate. So it begs the question why use animals at all?

Being that animals used for these studies are not visible; one would have a hard time collecting statistics to determine the actual amount of small creatures that perish in the name of beauty. Some might argue that rats and rabbits are plentiful and losing a couple is hardly worth the fuss. Another more plausible reason might be that people don't really sympathize with the cause due to fear and hysteria. Rodents are not highly respected because of their past association of filth and disease. Thoughts of plague never make anyone warm and fuzzy inside. In order to change a situation it is important for people to care about the subject, drumming up support is not just a prerequisite but is mandatory for success. For these reasons I feel that animal testing will continue for years to come. However, there are products on the market that have been manufactured without the use of animal testing. Though they are few it is a start.

I have no doubt that the practice of using animals for entertainment purposes and test subjects will eventually be abolished. The question is when.

Sources:

http://www.c ircuses.com/
http://w ww.ideausa.org/fact/ costesting.html

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