Elephants are majestic, intelligent creatures that don't belong at a county fair giving child after child a ride. For an elephant to become well trained, trainers employ a method called the crush. As young elephants, they are torn from their mothers and entrapped in a small confine, then ritualistically abused with bullhooks and bamboo sticks spiked with nails, as well as starved, deprived of sleep and worse, to crush their spirits and become submissive to humans. Their spines cannot support the weight of people. Carrying people on their backs all day can lead to permanent spinal injuries. 

            Their trainers carry bull-hooks and electric prods in order to hurt the animal into doing what they want. The animals learn that there is nothing they can do but submit. Their spirits are broken and they are then destined to a short life filled with pain and sorrow.

             Elephants are a lot like humans. Elephants are very intelligent and self-aware. They are born with more brain mass then body weight.They socialize, have families and friends, feel pain, sorrow, happiness, grieve for their dead and more. They live their lives essentially in solitary confinement at some camps. This isn't a fair life for them. Captive elephants are only several generations removed from the wild, unlike horses who have been bred for thousands of years for work.

            By signing this petition you are showing your support and telling the board of directors that this is a terrible decision and we won't support it.