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Say No to Exotic Animals
Several events in our community have included elephant rides and photo opportunities with exotic animals. Direct contact with wild animals is extremely dangerous for the people participating, especially the children.
Elephant rides are a particularly disturbing event. Such rides are dangerous for those riding and watching, and most often times it is young children who are taking part. There have been many occasions when such ride elephants, without obvious warning or reason, have gone berserk while giving rides, throwing passengers and smashing anything in their path. In situations where an elephant is allowed open contact with the public, there is always the danger that the elephant may suddenly become confused, startled, annoyed by those riding it, or just plain fed up after years of confinement and strict training. An elephant ride is an accident waiting to happen.
Photo opportunities with exotic animals are not only dangerous, but also contributes to the problem of surplus animals. The problem of surplus animals is enormous. People are breeding animals excessively and randomly in order to produce "cute" baby animals for public display. When these animals become larger and unmanageable they most likely will be sold to roadside zoos, circuses, research facilities hunting ranches, or worse.
Only through the support and awareness of many concerned individuals and organizations can we put an end to the exploitation of animals.
