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Ways Used to Train Circus Animals

The treatment of circus animals has changed as attitudes toward animals have changed. But animal rights activists and circus animal trainers clash over the truth behind what training methods are used, and whether animals should even be performing for human entertainment. Circuses maintain they use humane training methods that build on the animals' natural behaviors. Activists claim the animals are made to perform unnatural tricks out of fear.

History
- Elephants have long been associated with circuses.
  
  Circuses can trace their history back to ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. The Roman Circus Maximus, where entertainment for the masses was staged in open-air arenas and might include staged battles, acrobats and other performers, and of course, animal acts. Many featured exotic animals trained to perform for the crowds. The fall of Rome meant the deterioration of the circus into separate, wandering performers, until the first permanent traveling circus appeared in the 18th century.
Positive Reinforcement
- Circuses maintain animals are treated well.
  
  Circuses such as Ringling Brothers and non-profit organizations such as the European Circus Association support positive reinforcement and repetition as training methods. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding an animal for desired behavior, rather than punishing it for failing to perform or forcing it to perform through cruelty. Both Ringling Brothers and the ECA state that the tricks they train for build on animals' natural abilities and athleticism. The ECA also enforces a code of conduct that requires trained staff, regular exercise and veterinary care for circus animals.
Negative Reinforcement
- Protestors say the tricks are unnatural.
  
  Historically, circus animal trainers used punishment to coerce animals into doing tricks out of fear. Many groups, chief among them People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, argue that these methods persist, along with other ill-treatment, including the inherently transient nature of a traveling circus. These groups document use of whips, electric prods and bull hooks in training, as well as recording trainers explaining how to terrify the animals into submission.
Future
- This trick uses the horses' natural ability to rear up.
  
  Campaigning by advocacy groups and fundamental changes in how animals are perceived and treated have caused stricter regulations and outright bans on animal acts worldwide. Costa Rica, Singapore, Sweden, Finland, India and Austria have nationwide laws, as do municipalities in the United States and districts in Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Columbia and Greece. Yet people still flock to see animals at circuses. Supporting humane training through regulation and patronizing those circuses that use such methods may influence circus training.

Animals & Science