IDA Writing Alert: Marine World – Three Parks in One
August 15th, 2006 9:14 pm by Kelly Garbato———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – alerts [at] idausa.org
Date: Aug 14, 2006 5:22 PM
Subject: Writing Alert: Marine World – Three Parks in One
The San Francisco Chronicle ran a story about elephant rides at Six Flags Marine World.
Please write a letter to the editor of the Chronicle about the risks to public safety elephant rides present as well as the suffering these animals endure in captivity. Send letters to the Chronicle at letters [at] sfchronicle.com.
Read “Marine World – Three Parks in One” online.
You can use the following points to help you in your letter.
Experts, eyewitnesses, and videotape prove that physical abuse is standard practice for training elephants.
No government agency, no humane organization, no independent authority monitors training sessions. The violence must be concealed from the public. Injuries to elephants are not always obvious because of the color and texture of their skin. When evidence of abuse is found, such as scars and wounds, inspectors rarely follow-up because there were no witnesses and the victims can’t talk.
Elephant trainers have been videotaped viciously attacking elephants, embedding sharp metal bullhooks deep into their flesh, shocking them with electrical currents, and instructing other trainers to hurt the elephants until they scream.
Trainers use sharp, metal bullhooks to inflict pain and punishment.
No animal will voluntarily perform the same grueling routines, over and over, hundreds of times a year and on command. The animals must either be kept in pain or in constant fear of pain.
Elephant rides are as unsafe for the public as they are cruel to animals. They following are examples of injuries to humans during elephant rides:
May 12, 1999/Bethune, S.C.: Flora, an African elephant with Circus Flora, grabbed a woman with her trunk as she was dismounting from a ride and threw her against a tree three times. The woman was in a body brace for three months with many broken bones and received $468,000 as settlement of a lawsuit.
June 14, 1996/Casper, Wyo.: An elephant knocked down and repeatedly kicked her trainer. At the time of the incident, the elephant was giving rides to children. One child fell off the elephant. This elephant was performing with Jordan World Circus and is currently owned by John Cuneo.
April 1994/Muskegon, Mich.: Three children were injured when an elephant giving rides at a Shrine-circus fell into the passenger loading platform, spilling the riders and bending the platform.
April 6, 1994/Salt Lake City, Utah: While giving rides to two children, an elephant picked up, tossed, and stepped on an animal trainer with the Jordan Circus, breaking his arm and ribs
and causing internal organ damage. Another trainer was also injured in the incident.
August 31, 1992/Indianapolis, Ind.: A 3-year-old girl sustained permanent facial scarring after falling off an elephant during a ride. Three others riding with the girl also fell to the ground.
February 1, 1992/Palm Bay, Fla.: An elephant with the Great American Circus went on a rampage while carrying children on her back. She injured 12 people and threw a police officer to the ground before being shot and killed by police.
Letters should be less than 200 words. Please do not send attachments and please remember to include your full name, address, and phone number (for verification purposes–street names and phone numbers will not be published) and not to use any wording in this alert.
Thanks and good luck!
Sincerely,
Kristie Phelps
Program Coordinator
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