"We try to educate everybody on how we care for our animals, the commitment we have here at the greatest show on earth to ensure that these animals will be around for many, many generations."
Hmmmm. So about those bullhooks....?
Sure, they can command these elephants in four different languages, but do they use that many verbal commands? Or, maybe, they use physical harm so that the elephants do exactly what they are supposed to?
CLEVELAND - Friday, six Asian elephants from the "Greatest Show on Earth" enjoyed brunch at Quicken Loans Arena.
"They eat about 200 pounds of food a day each. Their main diet is high in grain like a horse, lots and lots of fruits and vegetables," says Ryan Henning, assistant animal superintendent for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. "Their favorite treat is a loaf of freshly baked bread."
Along with the 24 loaves of bread, the brunch included cases of yellow bananas, apples, lettuce, 50 pounds of carrots and 12 watermelons.
The elephants--all females--range in age from 7 to 56 years old. They respond to over 50 verbal commands in German, French, English and Hindi.
This year, the circus is celebrates its 143rd anniversary.
The circus is in the midsts of a two-year tour with visits to 90 cities. On average, they perform 10 shows a week, totaling about 900 performances over the tour.
The circus arrived from St Louis on Tuesday and will be performing until Monday, October 28.
~Mike Harris
Channel 5 News
October 25, 2013
Go make a difference!
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