New York State Bans the Use of Elephants in Live Entertainment!

Animal advocates rejoiced earlier this year when Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus had its last show. This was preceded by public disapproval of the abuse and mistreatment of wild animals at circuses, which caused the long-running show to first retire its elephants from performing before shutting down entirely. And now there is more great news in this realm – New York state has officially banned the use of elephants for live entertainment!

The bill was introduced by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Westchester) and prohibits the use of elephants in circuses, parades, carnivals, and trade shows. Paulin had this to say in regards to the new legislation: “Elephants have been exploited and abused in entertainment acts for too long…Confinement, torture, and unhealthy living conditions have led to early death for these intelligent, gentle animals…Elephants will no longer be subjected to cruel treatment for our amusement.”

The bill was signed by Governor Cuomo and will take effect immediately. Cuomo has taken the issue of elephants in entertainment seriously, saying, “The use of elephants in these types of settings is dangerous to their health and potentially abusive…The Elephant Protection Act furthers this administration’s efforts to fight animal cruelty, and create a stronger, more humane New York.”

Although this is fantastic news, we hope the state of New York will follow in the footsteps of New York City, and other cities like Los Angeles and Portland, Maine, and ban the use of all animals in live entertainment.

The best way to combat animal cruelty at circuses and other performances is to not buy tickets! The public has great power to ignite serious change, so please share this with your network as a reminder why we should never support businesses that exploit and abuse animals for a profit.

We’re thrilled to announce a reprieve for elephants forced to perform in circuses in the state of New York! We applaud New York’s Governor Andrew W. Cuomo for signing the Elephant Protect Act which bans the use of elephants in circuses and traveling exhibits. We also give thanks to all our New York supporters who signed our action alert supporting the passage of this bill! The Elephant Protect Act, sponsored by animal heroes, Senator Terrence Murphy and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, takes effect in two years. We must now focus our efforts nationally – and make it illegal for all beings to be confined and paraded around for entertainment!

Elephants are considered iconic for circuses, so this bill prohibiting their abuse is creating a step towards ending the exploitation of all animals in traveling acts. Under the Elephant Protection Act (S2098B/A464B) no person or entity can use elephants in entertainment acts, which include circuses, carnivals, parades or trade shows. As Governor Cuomo stated, “Elephants will no longer be subjected to this cruel abuse.”

New York is the second state in the nation to ban the use of elephants in circuses and other traveling exhibitions, following a move by Illinois earlier this year. Illinois state law protecting elephants will come into force on Jan 1, 2018. The New York City Council has gone one better by banning all wild animal performances.

Bullhook bans were the first critically important statewide legal protections for elephants in circuses and traveling exhibits. Statewide bullhook bans passed by Rhode Island and California made it difficult, if not impossible for elephants to perform within the two states.

Although Ringling Bros. has left the circus scene, smaller and equally cruel circuses and traveling “wild animal acts” are trying to expand their presence in states and cities that have so far failed to protect elephants and other species from circus abuse. Thus, animal protection laws like this are becoming increasingly important.

Although this is undoubtedly a step in the right direction for animals, the U.S. is lagging behind many other countries in protecting animals from circus abuse. Thirty nations have already passed bans on animal performances including Mexico, Peru, Romania, and Austria, just to name a few. But there is no such federal law in the U.S. yet, though the Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act (TEAPSPA) aims to do just that.

If you live in the U.S. and haven't yet called your representative, or sent our letter supporting this bill, please do so here.

You can tweet your thanks to Governor Cuomo on Twitter @NYGovCuomo.

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In the wild, elephants have incredibly strong family relationships — in fact, females usually stay together for life. But most of the elephants we've rescued were traumatically separated from their families at some point. At our elephant rescue center, these elephants adopt each other and form new family groups. It is heartwarming to see them comforting and protecting one another. But it is heartbreaking to think of the suffering they endured being forcefully separated from their families. And we are on the brink of seeing it happen to another family right before our eyes: the Chattisgarh herd of 19 elephants.

A family in danger (click for video)

This herd is at risk of being captured or killed. But we can prevent it. We can keep the family together and free. This is just one of the life-saving programs you can support by donating today.