Illinois Becomes First State Ever to Ban Traveling Elephant Acts
Illinois has taken an unprecedented stand against those who wish to exploit animals for profit, as the Prairie State becomes the first in the nation to ban all traveling elephant acts!
Signed into law by Gov. Bruce Rauner, the new ruling amends the Illinois Criminal Code to ban any mobile or nonpermanent exhibitions of Asian or African elephants. In addition to circus acts, this legislation bans many awful elephant rides, as well.
A person breaking this new rule commits a Class A misdemeanor and could face jail time.
There are roughly 50 elephants still being trotted around the country for rides and circuses.
Elephants in traveling shows live a dismal life in which they are dominated, imprisoned, and violently trained. Workers routinely beat, shock, and whip them until they learn to perform meaningless, confusing tricks that have no connection to their natural instincts and behavior.
When they’re not being forced to stand on their heads or on awkward platforms, many are kept in debilitating chains or in cramped, unsanitary, and poorly ventilated trailers.
But the people of Illinois have demonstrated that the days of beating, jabbing, and chaining these sensitive, complex animals are numbered.
Numerous venues, communities, and even entire countries have banned various wild-animal acts in the circus, and the world is exclaiming to animal abusers, “Either you end the shows, or we will!
Let’s end all animal acts!
Eliminating elephant acts didn’t save Ringling Bros. circus. If circuses want to save themselves from dwindling attendance and—ultimately—their demise, they’ll need to eliminate all animal acts. Please help tigers, bears, camels, and all the other animals forced to perform by speaking out against these circuses today:
