[21twelve]

I recall going to the circus with my son - he was maybe six at the time. There were a bunch of protestors there. He asked what they were doing, and I told him about how in America we are free to protest things we don’t like - as long as we don’t get violent.

“What are they protesting?”

“Why don’t we go ask them?”

Most of them were just yelling and stuff, and we couldn’t hold a conversation.

My son picked up on that real quick - he didn’t like it. I explained to him about how they thought the animals shouldn’t be in cages, and I explained how these were not “wild” animals - pretty much just pets. “How to you think Emily our cat would do if we just kicked it out of the house?”

Also explained how I thought the circus was good at allowing people to see different animals, and bring an awareness to the various animals of the world. I’m guessing anybody that saw those amazing big cats would be a little bit more for their conservation in the wild. I always thought it amazing what those big animals could do. “Tricks” I suppose, but showed their abilities and brain power.

Well - we still have zoos, for now. Better pricing than the circus and ours is real good at getting them in their natural habitat. Although it can be hit or miss on seeing some of the animals. “See - I think that’s its ear!”
Even now in college our kids go to the zoo once in awhile.

[Daffynition]

You might like the book *Water for Elephants* by Sara Gruen. It gripped me; It looks as if they made a movie of it, which I have not seen. Nor will I; I don't ever recall a movie that was made, that was better than the book.

[eyedigress]

Thanks for sharing.

The Circus was a bit different from the zoo.

I will feel bad about Ringling pulling out because that will remove all funding they have for wildlife resources around the world.

The North Carolina Zoo on the other hand is the most comprehensive outdoor area I have ever seen.

It is remarkable!

[virgil]

Yeah. I’m sure they would like to get rid of the zoos too. The zoos and circuses of the world probably did a lot to promote animal rights causes by increasing public awareness of the animals. I hope they cut their own throats. I used to watch the RB circus train roll through my back yard on the Burlington RR at least once a year when I was a kid. One time I got a glimpse of a polar bear. Haven’t seen one since. This is sad.