AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye Holy ^&*t I saw an elephant today

I went to the Circus in Mexico once, about 5 years ago, my friend just had to go. It was a nitemare, now thinking back I am speechless and cant comment. The sadist thing!!!

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Yes, the condition of the circus animals is deplorable, however is the suffering of one elephant anything compared to the slaughter of millions of animals on a daily basis that arrive on our dinner plates for food, who have lived a life very similar to our friend to sad little elephant?

Is this carnival so evil, or is it just showing us something we ourselves have created and rather not see.

Terrible for our kids see this...a nasty vision of cruelty!

Well, seems like some think it's a joke and hahaha...

I find it disturbing that people can find this funny and come up with smart-ass remarks, but I guess it's not such a big deal when people are hiding behind a screen-name. It kinda says a lot about the person, though...

Anyone who mistreats an animal is more than welcome to visit my place for a free kick in the ass, and anyone who thinks it is cool to make "clever" remarks about it will automatically receive an extra kick, just because I feel like kicking unbelievably stupid people in the ass at least twice.
I use my real name here, and you can look me up in the phone book and call me for an appointment.

It is very sad that something like this is "about Ambergris Caye"
Shame on who ever supports these things, shame on the authorities for allowing it, and just as much shame on the idiots who joke about it.

How about the children that are reaching into the lions and tigers cage trying to pet them with no one around stoping them from doing that. The whole thing is terrible in many ways.

However, if you want to hear the "local" version -

Everybody I know is so excited about the circus being here. It is the non-stop buzz.

I picked up a friend of mine and her daughter to give them a ride home and they were falling over each other telling me about the elephant - how big and fat it was, and how exciting it was to see a lion. They were describing the llama (camel?)and that there is a cow, a bull and a small horse too! They couldn't wait to go and see the animals doing their tricks - and see the clowns etc.

And that is the type of conversation I have had with so many people the past few days.

For folks that have had the priviledge of viewing such animals in the wild, or even in zoos and safari parks it is easy to see the inadequecies of this circus - but for people that may never have the opportunity to see these animals in another environment, this is the most exciting thing since cable tv.

This isn't a joke, nor am I condoning any form of cruelty to animals.

But this is a central american circus that travels the area bringing happiness to thousands.

Am I going to attend? No.

My 10 year old and 17 year old have made the decision not to go based on their moral feelings of the treatment of the animals.

This is our personal choice. But I am not going to condemn the thousands of people on this island that are going to attend. This is a thrilling event for them and I am not going to ruin their joy because of personal feelings about the treatment of the animals.

This circus has performed in Belize City and San Ignacio already - if the authorities had issues with the circus I would suspect such issues have been dealt with in a satisfactory manner.

Animals should be eatin'! (beaten and starved first please)

I think that many of the comments here are very valid, including the jokes - as sometimes black humour makes it easier for people to deal with terrible things.

But do consider that it is well documented that by exposing children to animal cruelty you start a desensitisation process that affects the development of empathy and nuturing. As humans, since the domestication of animals about 14,000 years ago, we have built a relationship with other species whereby our children can learn to value their environment, value each other, understand and care for the feelings and emotions of others, gain nurturing skills and a sense of responsibility throught their contact with animals.

Children follow the lead of adults. I loved the circus as a child, wanted to run away and join it and that love and passion led me into my own career. I later discovered that the circus I had loved so much was responsible for a great deal of cruelty. Nevertheless, I would not like to deny any children the delight and magic that a circus can bring. But all it takes is a well informed adult to use it as an educational tool to make a difference. People learn through challenges and children thrive on it.

Whatever anyone says, it is not OK to treat performing animals in this manner. I also agree with a previous poster that it is not OK for food animals to be treated with cruelty either. It is also not OK for us as a community to pretend that it is OK, just because people are enjoying it.

I have to add here that we must also remember that public spectacles that caused delight throughout history are considered barbaric and unacceptable now. I just ask people I meet if they have thought about the way the animals are cared for in that particular circus. Most haven't. When they do, it usaually makes them think differently.

As a huge animal lover, animal advocate, daughter of a veternarian who has been practicing for 46 years, I love animals more than a lot of people. It is people who are solely responsible for cruelty to animals. Anyone who fails to provide proper sustenance to an animal they own or care for does not deserve to live themselves.

Shame on the circus that is there and I really hope you were kidding SIN.