Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey would like to set the record straight regarding Florence Lambert’s opinion published on Aug. 9. The writer’s characterizations about the care and needs of the Asian elephant are completely unfounded.
Ringling Bros. meets or exceeds all federal, state, and local animal standards and has never been found in violation of the Animal Welfare Act. Animal welfare inspectors conduct regular inspections on our traveling units and facilities and they consistently find that our animal care is managed by well-qualified and knowledgeable professionals. This was no different in San Diego.
In range countries, elephants may be forced to travel long distances to search for food at times of drought and famine. At Ringling Bros., our elephants have a stable environment with a secure supply of food and plenty of exercise to keep them stimulated and fit. Additionally, Ringling Bros. has not imported an elephant from Southeast Asia in the more than 30 years since an international treaty was signed to maintain endangered species in their native lands. In fact, an increasing number of our elephants have been born at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation.
Our tethering practices are consistent with United States Department of Agriculture guidelines, as well as those outlined by California state regulations. Ringling Bros. elephants are tethered during transportation for safety and during mealtime and bedtime so they do not disturb one another but most of their waking hours they move freely about in their enclosures.
We are proud of our human and animal partnerships, and the needs of our animals are a top priority that can be seen in Ringling Bros.’ outstanding record of animal care.