OPINION: Shrine Circus at Fairgrounds shouldn't be based on animal cruelty

Valentine’s Day is approaching, and love is in the air across Albuquerque, except for the N.M. State Fairgrounds where the Shrine Circus will once again ship in exotic animals, compelling them to “entertain” through coercion and threat of punishment.

Unfortunately, the Fairgrounds is state-owned land and exempt from the city’s regulations safeguarding animals from abuse, allowing this distressing event to mar our community again this weekend (Feb. 9-11).

As our community becomes increasingly attuned to the well-being of all living creatures, the persistence of animal circuses serves as a stark reminder of a bygone era. Nearly two decades ago, Albuquerque decided that exotic animal acts are unwelcome in our community. We are not alone; numerous cities and states in the U.S., as well as countries like Mexico and England, have banned such forms of animal cruelty.

Animal circuses inflict inherent cruelty on their performers. Wild animals, including elephants, lions and tigers, endure grueling training methods designed to force them to perform unnatural tricks for audience amusement. Behind the scenes, these majestic creatures are exposed to harsh conditions, cramped cages, and prolonged confinement, contributing to physical and psychological distress.

Circus training methods are fear-based and involve tools like bull-hooks and electric prods, compromising the animals’ physical well-being and causing severe mental anguish. Elephants, social creatures who thrive in familial groups and wide-open spaces, suffer stress, anxiety and behavioral abnormalities due to prolonged confinement and isolation in circus environments.

Beyond these ethical concerns, there are increasing public safety issues linked to animal circuses. The unpredictable nature of wild animals poses significant risks to handlers and spectators. There have been instances of escaped animals causing injuries or death, underscoring the danger of keeping large, potentially aggressive animals in close proximity to humans. Elephants are also known to carry diseases such as tuberculosis, which raises legitimate concerns regarding transmission to the unsuspecting public. How many times have you witnessed “elephant rides” offered to children at the Shrine Circus?

There is an alternative: Animal-free circuses offer all the thrills and chills you expect at the big top — but none of the animal cruelty. Unlike depressed elephants, tigers and other animals who are forced to perform through beatings and shocks, talented human tightrope walkers, trapeze artists, jugglers, clowns, contortionists, acrobats, fire-eaters, musicians, dancers and more put on a show for the love of performing.

These cruelty-free circuses are becoming more and more common. There’s no better proof of the move toward compassion than the recent reinvention of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to include only willing human participants.

Despite offers to sponsor their fundraising goals without animal involvement, the Shriners refuse dialogue. Regrettably, the Albuquerque Shriners remain unmoved by our community’s shift away from animal cruelty and our concern for public safety. I expect that attendance at this weekend’s cruelty-based circus will dwindle, protests will persist, and funds raised will decline.

One can only hope that the Shriners will soon recognize that their positive contributions to our community should not continue to be funded by animal abuse while community rules and preferences are ignored.