PETITION CLOSED

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Tell the USDA: Ringling Bros. is Endangering Baby Elephants
  1. Signatures
    5,027 out of 10,000
    Petitioning
    1. Secretary of Agriculture (Tom Vilsack)
  2. Created By
    Laura Goldman
    Los Angeles, CA
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

 

Barack, an elephant that performs with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, was born on Inauguration Eve, 2009. In his two short years of life, he has become sick twice with elephant herpes virus, a disease that has a mortality rate of 85 percent and has killed several young Asian elephants in zoos across the U.S.

The virus occurs when the elephant’s immune system is weakened by factors including stress. Before he was even a year old, Barack started performing with the circus. His daily life has been a grueling routine of rigorous training, performing and constant travel between venues. None of this is natural for an elephant. Barack should be retired to an elephant sanctuary instead of being forced to perform.

In Defense of Animals (IDA), an international animal protection organization, has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, asking for it to intervene and stop Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from endangering baby elephants. Please sign the petition asking the USDA to take this action to save the lives of Barack and all performing elephant calves.

 

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Do Not Allow Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to Endanger Baby Elephants

Dear Secretary Vilsack,

I am writing to you regarding Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus’ treatment of Barack, a sick elephant calf, as well as its other performing baby elephants.

Barack is only 2 years old, but has been performing most of his young life. He has already become sick two times with the elephant herpes virus, which has an 85 percent mortality rate among young elephants. The virus occurs when the elephant’s immune system is weakened by factors including stress. Barack’s unnatural life of rigorous training, performing and constant travel are extremely stressful on a young elephant. He should be retired to an elephant sanctuary instead of continually being forced to perform.

In Defense of Animals (IDA), an international animal protection organization, has filed a complaint with the USDA, asking your department to intervene with Ringling Bros. in order to protect not just Barack but all baby elephant circus performers. I urge you to take action on this matter.

Thank you.

[Your name]

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