Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, May 22, 1993                   TAG: 9305240232
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ANIMALS WEREN'T MADE FOR SHOW BIZ

As usual, the media covered the circus extensively, but there was no mention of animal cruelty. "King Tusk" (April 23 news story by Melanie Hatter) is a good example. I certainly don't want to spoil someone's fun, but when it is at the expense of living creatures, the behind-the-scenes truth needs to be told. Here, all that glitters is not gold.

The suffering starts when animals are snatched from their families and jungle homes. Many that survive capture and transport die eventually, because they aren't fed the right kinds of food, they're exposed to human diseases and strange climates, or they can't adjust to life in cages.

Nature intended for animals to have unlimited access to hundreds of acres. Keeping these animals caged when they are not performing, which is most of the time, causes them to go crazy. This is evident in their pacing, rocking, excessive sleeping, self-mutilation, etc.

Circus animals endure painful training - beating, burning and other bullying - to learn tricks that are often painful and unnatural. It's only fear of this intimidation that produces much of the behavior seen in the animal acts.

I don't find any thrill in tigers jumping through flaming hoops or watching bears in skirts riding tricycles. All I see is pitiful, miserable animals parading around. These once-wild animals do not belong in a concrete jungle like Roanoke or the next city on their journey.

Animals don't exist to entertain humans. Their lives have a value independent from their usefulness to us. Fortunately, people are beginning to realize this. SUSAN H. WIEDMAN CHARLOTTESVILLE