This recent incident in Florida (full video below) illustrates exactly why animals should never be exploited for entertainment. Animals such as elephants, tigers, lions bears, alligators, monkeys and apes shouldn’t have to suffer to entertain us in the year 2016. Society knows better—we know that wild animals used in circuses and other performances are often trained by having their spirits broken, forced to perform ridiculous, degrading stunts while otherwise caged and chained in trains and trailers, enduring arduous travel each year in small cages.Captive animals used for entertainment are denied their natural behaviors such as having extended social groups and living and moving freely in large outdoor areas. When exploited for commercial entertainment purposes, wild animals lead unnatural lives of misery, deprivation and confinement.

We are currently taking action against wild and exotic animal performances in NYC by encouraging NYC Council Members to support the historic bill Intro #1233, that would prohibit wild animal performances from occurring in New York City, including in circuses, fairs, petting zoos, carnivals, parades, races and rides. You can take action in your city or state by encouraging lawmakers to introduce and support bills that will finally put an end to animals being exploited by the entertainment industry.