Circus Elephant Abuse Case Hits Court

(NEWSER) - PETA has released video it says shows cruelty to circus elephants, the Orange County Register reports. The tape shows Ringling Bros. handlers swatting elephants with “bull hooks,” and one pachyderm exhibiting signs of “severe psychological distress.” “This video again shows what we have been saying for years,” PETA charges. “These animals are routinely abused to perform in ways that they don’t naturally perform.” More»

Circus mistreated elephants and tigers, feds say

(NEWSER) - The Ringling Brothers circus—without admitting wrongdoing—has paid $270,000 to settle federal accusations that it mistreated elephants, tigers, zebras, and other exotic animals. Federal inspectors found that a sick elephant was forced to perform, elephants' faces were cut by sharp edges in transport trailers, big cats were kept in rusty cages with splintered floors, and meat was delivered to tigers in the same wheelbarrows that their waste was hauled in, MSNBC reports. More»

Annie whacked repeatedly by cruel minder

(NEWSER) - A British circus worker has been filmed repeatedly kicking and slamming a docile elephant with a pitchfork in her face and body as she was chained in her enclosure. The film of 57-year-old Asian elephant Annie was taken by Animal Defenders International and has triggered a joint investigation by local police and a British animal agency. Annie was beaten some 48 times in a single month while the film was being shot, according to Animal Defenders, which is seeking to relocate the animal to a sanctuary. Owners of the Bobby Roberts Super Circus said they were horrified by the actions of Annie's minder, who has since left his job, reports the Guardian . More»

And no more monkey meat on the human menus at zoos

(NEWSER) - Monkey-fighting is off the agenda and monkey meat is off the menu at zoos and circuses in China. An animal welfare law taking effect this month bans animal performances at zoos and other attractions, and bans zoos from serving dishes made from rare animals, the Telegraph reports. Wildlife parks will no longer be allowed to sell guests live chickens to chuck at lions and tigers. The law also requires zoos to provide animals with adequate housing and keep them away from "disturbance or irritation." More»

Footloose pachyderm tours downtown Zurich

(NEWSER) - An escaped elephant went on a tour of downtown Zurich yesterday evening, spending an hour on the loose before police apprehended her. Sabu, a 26-year-old female from the Swiss national circus, cooled off in Lake Zurich before roaming the streets of the business district and doing a little window-shopping on the Bahnhofstrasse, Bloomberg reports .See video of the escapade in the gallery above or by clicking here . More»