As soon as I saw this in the news today, I knew there was going to be an epic zookeeper throw-down on-line. About half of the keepers who posted applauded the decision - many zookeepers are opposed to animal acts in circuses, feeling that there is too much potential for animal mistreatment, and that even the best of circuses cause unacceptable stress to their animals by constantly moving them around the country. In the other corner are the keepers who view circuses, zoos, and any other organization that keeps non-domestic animals in a constant struggle against animal rights activists and their allies. To them, a move against one of us is a move against us all.
The news from Ringling surprised me, but maybe it shouldn't have. Many cities are implementing bans on the use of ankuses, or guides (what activists call "bullhooks") in their jurisdictions. It doesn't impact zoos too much - most zoos use protected contact with their elephants these days, removing the need for guides altogether. To Ringling, it must have seemed that the hassle of dealing with constantly changing local rules and rising opposition to elephants in circuses was making it too hard to plan their seasons.
To be clear, Ringling Bros. will not be relinquishing control of their elephants; they will be kept at their breeding facility. Circus managers are entertaining the possibility of eventually opening this facility up to the public.
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