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OPPOSITION TO House Bill 6599
House Bill 6599 would interfere with safe and proper elephant care and management by arbitrarily enacting unnecessary state-specific standards for elephant care which may not be consistent with the federal rules already in place and the recognized industry standards and guidelines.
Ringling Bros. has 53 Asian elephants, the largest herd outside of Asia, as well as the most successful breeding program in the Western Hemisphere. With 137 years experience Ringling Bros. and Barnum & BaileyÒ is recognized as a leader in the care and well-being of Asian elephants. With so many years of experience, Ringling Bros. has gained extensive practical and scientific knowledge of elephant behavior, social structure and we regularly work with some of the world’s leading experts in elephant care.
Guides and Training
Although versions of what is sometimes called a bull hook or ankus, but we call a guide, have been used by elephant handlers for thousands of years, its size and function have evolved over time and its use now is primarily to lead and direct animals much like reins for a horse and a leash for a dog.
The use of guides or “bullhooks” and tethering elephants with chains are proven and humane management practices accepted by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) which regulates all zoos and circuses under the Animal Welfare Act, and approved by the International Elephant Foundation (IEF), the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Elephant Managers Association (EMA).
Elephant handlers in zoos, preserves and circuses throughout the world use the guide as an extension of the trainer’s arm in conjunction with a voice command. For example, a touch on the side of the right leg with the command “foot”, tells the elephant to lift its right foot. It is used in training to help the elephants understand the meaning of the verbal cue and in circumstances when noise or distractions prevent the elephant from hearing a verbal cue.
The training of elephants is, at its core, no different from the training of dogs, horses and other domestic animals. The cornerstone of all successful animal training is in repetition and reward. This method of behavioral conditioning builds on a routine that builds respect and trust between trainer and animal. True animal experts know that a safe and secure environment is the only acceptable and successful method of training any animal.
Tethering
Tethering of elephants is part of responsible elephant care and governed by existing laws and regulations. When tethered the elephants have room to lie down, move around and interact with each other. Tethering ensures that the elephants respect each other’s physical space – especially during meal times.
By tethering the elephants at mealtime, we are able to monitor their food and water intake, thereby ensuring that each elephant receives its respective nutritional needs.
Ringling Bros. elephants spend most of their waking hours freely moving about their enclosures with compatible groups, exercising and learning new routines. The elephants spend a portion of each day, mostly at night, on tethers. Chains are used because they are strong, sanitary and will not damage the animal’s skin.
Ringling Bros. tethering practices are consistent with those prescribed by the USDA as well as those outlined in the Elephant Husbandry Resource Guide, which was recently published by the IEF and endorsed by the AZA and the EMA. This book reflects the recognized, state-of-the-art, industry standards for the safe and humane care and management of elephants.
Existing Laws
The care and handling of elephants in zoos and circuses are already subject to various federal, state and local animal welfare and cruelty laws.
In addition, at Ringling Bros. we have strict policies on the appropriate use of all husbandry tools, including the guide and do not tolerate misuse of any equipment. All of our animal care policies are simple and straight-forward, are made known to all animal care personnel and prominently posted on our circus units.
Ringling Bros. circus units are subject to unannounced inspections by the USDA and such inspections have occurred in annually in Hartford and/or Bridgeport. |
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