Running Head: ANIMALS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 1

Animals in the Entertainment Industry: A Review of Literature Between Abuse

and Showbiz

Chelsie A. Lopez

University of Texas at El Paso

Running Head: ANIMALS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 2

Abstract

As humans evolved, animals in the entertainment industry did too. From Ancient Rome

to present day, animals have been involved in the act of performing since man made it possible.

Bull-fighting, dog-fighting, rodeos, movies, SeaWorld, zoos, and circuses are only a few of many

that have introduced animal entertainment. When it first became popular many people were

excited, but some were appalled at the treatment given to the animals. As time passed, the topic

became controversial and the decision on whether it was abuse or showbiz arose. With little

knowledge, many people are unaware or not properly educated on what can go on behind closed

curtains. Dating back to 46 B.C all the way to 2017, animals have been used for human

entertainment. The definition or clarifications between entertain or abuse involved in the

treatment of the animals varies in regards to who you ask. Nonetheless, at the end of the day,

animals in the entertainment industry continue to be treated in ways that some people are

unaware of.
Running Head: ANIMALS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 3

Animals in the Entrainment Industry: Abuse or Showbiz?

From being forced to fight in arenas in Ancient Rome to present day

showbiz, animals have been used for human entertainment through the

majority of our history. Animal performances can be found in many different

ways, whether it be rodeos, movies, circuses, zoos, bull fighting, etc. At the

very most, every animal that comes to mind has been or is still being used

as entertainment till this day. Animals including; lions, tigers, whales,

elephants, camels are a few that can be found in the showbiz. In general,

countless numbers of people are unaware of the treatment animals endure in

the entertainment industry.

It wasnt until animal rights activists brought light to the situation on

whether or not the use of animals in entertainment was abuse or not. Debate

and arguments have risen since the questions were made and till this day is

still a controversial topic. Some claim that animals are meant for

entertainment while others argue that they deserve to be treated fairly.

While the opinions vary, taking into the consideration of the topic, these

three questions:

1. How are animals used in the Entertainment Industry?

2. What is the Difference between abuse and showbiz?

3. What do people think?

will undoubtedly help create a more narrowed background regarding the

topic. Nonetheless, it will serve a purpose for the history being told of

animals used in entertainment as well as their present day treatment.

Running Head: ANIMALS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 4

How are animals used in the entertainment industry?

Through the entirety of our history, humans have created

entertainment through the use of animal interaction or performances.

Beginning in 46 B.C. after the defeat of Pompey in Greece, the import of

exotic animals for entertainment became popular (Hopkins, 2005). Inside the

arena, animals such as lions, elephants and tigers were used to symbolize

strength, wealth, and victory. While man vs. beast was most commonly

watched in that time era, beast vs. beast was occasionally held. Specifically,

dog fighting was frequently held in the colosseums. Although many dogs

were treated as royalty, there were some breeds (Rottweilers, Mastiffs,

Greyhounds) that were forced to fight to their death. This became widely

popular and used as entertainment for nearly decades before cock-fighting

became the new spotlight of entertainment. Importing exotic animals

became easier for the romans and because of this, the use of animal

entertainment began to sky-rocket and become a traditional form of

amusement for people.

As the years passed, new ways of animals involved in entertainment

began to rise. Till this day, animals are used in circuses, amusement park

shows, zoos, petting zoos, carnivals, street side shows, and more. The most

commonly known animal entertainment is the famous circus acts, where

elephants, tigers, bears, cats, etc. can be found performing. Families from

different locations either travel to see them perform, or mobile circuses tour

throughout the world to entertain. In the circuses a combination of exhibiting

Running Head: ANIMALS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 5

animals in their cages, as well as a few tourist and animal interaction can be

found. Many animals are put on display to get their pictures taken, or to be

rode around like a live carousel, or pet in exchange for a meal at the end of

the day. In general, many of the animals found in circuses were once in the

wild but captured at such a young age, the only life they know is the one of

entertainment (Rendon, 2012).

Another widely known entertainment is found at amusement parks

such as SeaWorld. Killer whales, Dolphins, Sea Lions, Walruses, penguins,

and dogs are a few that can be found performing there. For the most part

many of the animals are taken from the wild and know only the life of

captivity, where they are kept in man-built habitats and only brought out

during their shows or practice runs of their acts (Lodhi, 2014). Schools located

near these parks often bring their students on field trips to watch these

animals perform and often get up close interaction with the animals.

Although many of these places are considered for entertainment purposes,

few claim to add an educational aspect to their live animal involvement.

(Rendon, 2012).

A last type that is commonly found in regards to animal

entertainment is trophy hunting. Trophy Hunting is considered a worldwide

sport that involves killing an animal and using its carcass as a trophy to

show off your successful hunt. On average, hunters globally kill 200 million

animals per year. According to the National Hunting and Fishing Wonders of

Wildlife 282 million Americans hunt per year which equals out to about 21
Running Head: ANIMALS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 6

hunters a day. Typically, a hunter spends $2,484 a year on sporting

equipment and buys more than 1 billion shot shells yearly. Unanimously,

hunters have spent $7.2 billion in taxes to be able to hunt, and $38.3 million

in sporting gear and goods (Ramutsindela, 2016). In many cases the animals

are not killed in a humane manor, and are forced to endure excruciating

amounts of pain and suffering. Animals such as bears, deer, birds, exotic

animals, and more are the main targets for the hunters (Nashion, 2014). In

2004 hunting of fox became illegal in Britain, but because it was such a

delicacy to have taxidermy done to the carcass of the fox, the law was

frequently broken (Ramutsindela, 2016). Overall, trophy hunting has become

a worldwide sport that is participated by many in various different locations.

What is the difference between abuse and showbiz?

After many heated discussion over this topic, the answer to whether

animal involvement in entertainment is showbiz or abuse continues to be

controversial.

A commonly made claim is animals in the entertainment industry being

a form of abuse due to the unnecessary treatment and involuntary captivity

they endure. In the life of a circus performer, animals such as elephants are

forced to go through excruciating amounts of pain for our overall enjoyment.

Surprisingly animals dont naturally do handstands and acrobatic tricks

unless tortured to do so. Experiences animals, such as elephants, are put

through is descriptively described in an article written by Nancy Colier titled

Burnt Paws and Broken Spirits: What Happens When the Circus Lights Go
Running Head: ANIMALS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 7

Out? In the article Nancy writes, The elephants are beaten with metal rods,

pierced with bull hooks on their sensitive bodily areas, eyes and face,

shocked with electric prods and assaulted with blowtorches. She then

continues to explain how many of the animals are forced to live their lives in

cages too small for their body and bodily fluids to live comfortably in. If thats

not enough, many are starved and deprived of necessary-to-live amounts of

food and water (Cowperthwaite, 2013). Unfortunately, circuses are not the

only places animals have been found to live like this. Amusement park

entertainment shows, zoos/petting zoos, and other animal entertainment

industries have been discovered to mistreat their animals just as bad. One

claim to animal abuse that is overlooked is the act of trophy hunting. Animals

are shot and left to bleed out for the humans enjoyment for a successful

prey and predator hunt. It was discovered that many trophy hunters take a

special type of enjoyment in injuring the animal, allowing to feebly run away,

and later finding the carcass bled out (Ramutsindela, 2016). An animal is

born into the wild, and it isnt until humans take them from their natural

habits to use for our pure enjoyment.

On the other hand, many claim animals in the industry is just a form of

showbiz. A form of showbiz that is not only entertaining, but educational for

us all. Zoos, SeaWorld, and petting zoos allow a human and animal

interaction that can not only be educational, but allows a life-long memory.

Being kept in enclosures that are regularly monitored is considered beneficial

to some because it not only allows humans to observe their habits, but can
Running Head: ANIMALS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 8

provide necessary treatment for the animals. Unlike being in the wild, being

kept in enclosed man-made habitats allows the animal to be provided with

medical treatment that would not be available in the wild. Furthermore,

volunteers and care takers are assigned to each animal, regardless of what

entertainment they are involved in, allowing the animal to have a connection

they would not be able to experience in the wild (Abdelrahman, 2013).

How much do people really know about it?

After a survey was conducted regarding the topic of animals in the

entertainment industry, it was discovered that a hundred percent of the

participants had seen a movie involving animals, yet only 82% had seen a

live performance. Nonetheless, it was ultimately revealed that despite having

seen some sort of animal entertainment, it was a near tie between how
Running Head: ANIMALS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 9

many people knew what animals have gone through and how many had

limited knowledge. The survey had a total of seven questions all regarding

the animals in the entertainment industry. With the questions bouncing off

one another, a 98% was tallied when participants were asked questions on

what they thought animal abuse was. Being able to choose from, A) Starving

animals so they will be willing to do tricks for treats, B) Whipped, chained,

and kept in small cages, C) Backs broken for tricks, D) A,B,&C, or E) I dont

think its considered animal abuse if it is meant for our entertainment;

participants unanimously choose answer D. Continuing to the next question,

being asked if being educated further on treatment in the animal

entertainment industry is something they wouldnt mind, 85% said they

would love to learn more while 15% said they didnt have time for it. Finally,

when asked the ultimate question What would make you stop supporting

animals in the showbiz? the majority answer was that many did not support

the performing animals already. Although it wasnt a hundred percent

answer, many people agreed that animals being forced to perform for our

pleasure was something they did not agree with. Overall, people only have a

general knowledge of what animals are put through when involved in

entertainment. More education and publicity about the true treatment,

whether good or bad, that animals undergo is needed. Not only will it

educate people on what goes on behind closed curtains, but will allow

animals to have a voice that they deserve.

Conclusion/Synthesis
Running Head: ANIMALS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 10

In conclusion, animals have been used for entertainment since the

beginning of time. Whether it be for a street show, or for a big corporate

company, animal entertainment has steadily stayed as a controversial topic.

While many claim it to be abuse, few call it educational and harmless

entertainment. From animals performing in circuses, to animals being

watched through glass windows, animal entertainment will unfortunately

always exist. With more education and background knowledge provided for

people, it can only be hoped that the truth of what really happens when the

performance ends will be shown. At the end of the day, animals cannot

naturally do acrobatic tricks, cannot stand on their hind feet, cannot jump

through a hoop, cannot do flips and twirls, unless forced too. Whether it is

considered animal abuse to chain, whip, starve, or stuff animals in cages is

up to oneself. It can only be hoped that more animals will be given a voice

and healthier living conditions than some are given now.

Running Head: ANIMALS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 11

References

Abdelrahman, A. (2013). Animal entertainment? Approved! From

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/achmeed-abdelrahman /animal-

entertainment- approved_b_6459821.html. Retrieved March 17, 2017

Colier, N. (2015). Burnt Paws and Broken Spirits: What Happens When the Circus

Lights Go Out? From http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nancy-

colier/burnt-paws-and-broken- spirits_b_6796262.html. Retrieved March 17, 2017.

Cowperthwaite, G. (Director), & Oteyza, M. (Producer). (2013). Blackfish [Motion

picture]. United States: Magnolia Pictures.

Hopkins, K. (2005). Ancient Roman Animals: the history of animals in Italy. From

http://www.explore-italian-culture.com/ancient-roman-animals.html. Retrieved

March 17, 2017.

Running Head: ANIMALS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 12

Lodhi, A. (2014). Animal Abuse: Why Hollywood is No Place for Animals. ELUXE

Magazine. Retrieved from

https://eluxemagazine.com/magazine-animal-abuse-in-hollywood

Lopez, C. (2017, March 20). Animals In the Entertainment Industry. From

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C86QPTP. Retrieved March 23, 2017

Nashion, J. (2014). Up In Arms. Current Events, (pp. 110-112 section 1.1 ). Evanston, IL: Agate

Publishing

Ramutsindela, M. (2016). Anti-Hunting. In Defense of Animals. from

http://www.idausa.org/campaigns/wildfree2/habitat-campaign/anti-hunting/.

Retrieved March 17, 2017.

Rendon, J. (2012) Entertainment. From

http://www.animalequality.net/entertainmenthistory. Retrieved March 17,

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