CIRCUS ANIMALS POSE THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
SAFETY RISKS
Abused wild animals still possess their natural instincts and can lash out at any time. There have been hundreds of cases in which circus animals have run rampant and hurt spectators and trainers, some resulting in death. Here are a few highlighted incidents found in the Humane Society's Circus Incident Report:
- "September, 1988. Shanxi Province, China
An escaped circus tiger attacked and seriously injured an 8-year-old boy, and triggered
a panic that left 40 people unconscious during a performance. The Workers Daily
reported that the tiger broke out of his cage after being hit by his trainer for failing to
perform a trick. Chicago Tribune, October 7, 1988" (HSUS). - "August 20, 1994. Honolulu, HI - CIRCUS INTERNATIONAL
During a performance, Tyke, a 21-year-old female African elephant crushed to death
her trainer and badly injured another circus employee. After the attack, Tyke bolted
from the arena into the street and was chased by police for several blocks. She was shot
more than 80 times before finally collapsing. Tyke was then euthanized by a lethal
injection administered by workers from the Honolulu Zoo. Tyke was the property of the
Hawthorn Corporation, which was fined $12,500 for the incident. (See the incident in
July 1993.) Sacramento Bee, August 22, 1994." (HSUS). - "December 12, 1990. Toulouse, France
A tiger attacked and seriously injured a 4-year-old girl at a performance near Toulouse.
The 400-pound tiger leaped into the audience as its cage was opened, slashed the child
across her face, and clamped his jaws around her head before being dragged off by
circus workers. Houston Post, December 14, 1990" (HSUS)
Statistics from 1990-2003 show...
- Elephants have caused 65 deaths and 130 injuries
- Big cats have caused 51 deaths and 170 injuries
- Bears have caused 14 deaths and 40 injuries
- Primates have caused 2 deaths and 140 injuries
(apnm.org)
HEALTH RISKS
- Elephants are known to carry a human strain of tuberculosis that can be easily transmitted (CDC.GOV).
- "Circus elephants are known carriers of human TB, and come into frequent contact with the public through elephant rides and exhibitions. The disease is entirely transmissible to humans, and eleven circus workers have already tested positive for TB following contact with infected elephants" (Global Action Network).