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Although many other circuses across the U.S. have made the good decision to end their animal acts, Mysterious Circus continues to do business with exhibitors who use intimidating and often violent methods to force animals to perform confusing and often painful tricks. Acts such as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and UniverSoul Circus are captivating their audiences and providing entertainment without exploiting animals, and Mysterious Circus must follow their lead.
Recent Mysterious Circus shows have featured an elephant named Okha, supplied by notorious animal exhibitor Brian Franzen. He and his family have a long history of abusing elephants for human entertainment, including by striking one in the face multiple times with a bullhook.
Okha was stolen from her family and natural home in 1974 and has been exploited for entertainment ever since. She’s estimated to be around 54 years old now—which is geriatric for an elephant. Franzen must retire her to an accredited sanctuary, where she could live out her golden years in peace, before it’s too late.
Elephants are highly social animals who, in nature, live in family groups and form lasting bonds with their family members. But instead of being with her family, Okha has lived in isolation for the last several years, with no opportunity to interact or engage with other elephants. Using elephants as circus props is a form of speciesism that many circuses have left behind. Hundreds of venues have stepped up and banned or restricted animal acts, and it’s time Mysterious Circus did the same.
Please e-mail the owner of Mysterious Circus, William Jaramillo, and politely ask that the circus end its cruel animal acts and focus on the talents of willing human performers instead.