Amusement? Circuses, zoos, aquariums, foxhunting, dog fighting, hunting, fishing, horse racing, bullfighting.. all of these practices keep animals in captivity and use them against their will for human entertainment. People take part as they consider them fun, entertaining, artistic or cultural, but none of these things justifies forcing animals into confinement, to suffer and to die, for our benefit. In the past, in Roman circuses, elephants, humans, tigers and other animals were killed for the sake of amusing spectators. In England bears were forced to fight dogs until one of the two died. Until very recently in a Spanish town goats were thrown to their deaths from the church tower during festivals. All of these forms of entertainment have finally been rejected by most of society, but still many more forms of abuse are yet to be questioned and eliminated. Many such legal abuses disgust most of us whilst others seem perfectly normal, but just like the Roman circuses it is probable that they will one day be seen as unacceptable forms of abuse.

Animal circuses Circuses attract the public, especially children, for being colourful, fun and original. Sadly there is another reality behind those circuses which contain animals - a reality of suffering, deprivation and death. Lions, tigers, elephants, seals… animals whose lives in liberty are full of a variety of experiences, are condemned to a life of repeating tricks which amuse the spectators but cause the animals themselves stress, confusion and physical pain. This goes alongside the life of neglect and constraint which revolves around entertaining, travelling and solitude which is forced upon them. Only visit animal-free circuses, these are indeed fun, but for everyone.

Zoos Zoos are prisons in which hundreds of animals are encaged for the enjoyment of paying visitors. Animals from lions to snakes and all kinds of ‘exotic’ animals spend day after day in cages, cells and other enclosed spaces whilst they are ‘admired’ and photographed. Little can be learned in zoos about animal behaviour, only about how to deprive them of their freedom and use them according to human desires. Many zoo animals suffer from “zoochosis,” a term used to describe repetitive stereotypic behavior such as swaying from side to side, head bobbing or restless pacing. The complex emotional and social relationships animals need to thrive are destroyed in captivity. More can be learned from watching a natural history documentary than seeing the sad shadow of an animal caged in a zoo. But even if we could learn a lot about animal behaviour in the confines of a zoo, no gaining of knowledge justifies depriving others of their freedom.

Hunting Hunting is considered a sport. As a result millions more animals die every year. The most common practice is ‘small game hunting’, in which the victims tend to be partridges, turtle-doves, rabbits, certain aquatic birds, migratory bird species. There is also ‘big game hunting’, in which then victims include wild boar, roe-deer, larger deer, rams. Hunters use guns to kill certain individuals, and lead pellets to kill, injure and mutilate others.

Aquatic prisons 'Aquariums' are really aquatic prisons in which hundreds of marine animals - mammals like dolphins and killer whales as well as tropical, fresh and saltwater fish species. These individuals would otherwise swim many kilometres in a day and possess senses which guide them through their aquatic habitats but are frustrated in the tanks in which they are condemned to spend their lives. Through the glass of the aquarium we don’t see the full picture. We don’t see the boredom, the monotony or the suffering endured by the animals behind the screens. Seeing the reality can prevent us from participating.

Other ‘spectacles’ Other spectacles exist where animals are used to serve a human purpose. Rodeos, horse and greyhound racing are just examples. In all of these the same wrong is repeated: Animals are created, raised, bought, sold and used for human entertainment to their detriment.

What can I do? There are countless forms of entertainment which don’t cause harm to or oppress animals. We can go to circuses which don’t use animals, the cinema, the theatre, concerts, shows, art galleries, museums, sports without animals, hikes in the countryside, observing animals respectfully in the wild,… the possibilities are almost endless. But above us we can make a difference in our lives by informing others about why these places should not exist. We should all be able to enjoy freedom, human or not.