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A California-based animal rights group is doing what it can to force circuses to stop using elephants in their acts, even invoking the Endangered Species Act in its quest. 

At a press conference Thursday at the Oakland Zoo, PAWS, the Performing Animals Welfare Society, spoke out against the use and treatment of elephants in circus acts. They are taking legislative action against using elephants as well as suing Ringling Brothers’ circus to stop what they say is abuse of the animals.  

PAWS says that elephants in circuses pose a threat to trainers and audience members alike. They are supporting HR 2929, a bill to prohibit the use of elephants in traveling shows and elephant rides. HR 2929 is currently in the Crime Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee. 

PAWS claims that the public is at considerable risk from elephants in traveling shows because of the harsh training and the restrictive conditions the elephants endure. The problem is that there is no healthy way to house elephants in a traveling environment. This, says ex-elephant handler Tom Rider, is why elephants shouldn’t be allowed in circuses at all. 

“The reality is that unless you have a facility like (the Oakland Zoo), you can’t take elephants off restraints,” he said.  

PAWS is also bringing suit against Ringling Brothers circus claiming that they routinely violate the Endangered Species Act and the Animal Welfare Act in the training and handling of the elephants. 

Among charges filed, the complaint cites Ringling Brothers with the forcible removal of baby elephants from their mothers before the age of two and with the inhumane use of beatings and chains in training. These are in violation of the AWA, which states that “physical abuse shall not be used to train, work, or otherwise handle animals.” 

“At Ringling facilities, baby elephants are torn from their mothers at an unnaturally young age and subjected to harsh treatment,” says PAWS’ Director Pat Derby. “Both mothers and babies suffer greatly from the unnatural and unethical treatment imposed on them at these training facilities.” 

Feld Entertainment, the owners of Ringling Brothers, argues that there is no basis for the allegations made by PAWS. Their staff “consistently provides the highest standards in the hands-on care of all (their) animals,” they said in a statement issued Thursday. 

We are “outraged by the allegations contained in two lawsuits brought against the company,” the Feld statement said. “(We will) aggressively defend our good name and reputation.”  

Despite these claims by the circus, Derby hopes that the PAWS’s lawsuit will serve as a model for others to follow.  

“Our lawsuit is the first brought against a circus under the Endangered Species Act,” she said. “We hope it will be a pioneer for performing animals rights.”