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Photograph of last year's Elephant Walk by FlavaDave on Flickr
If it's March, it must be time for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to come to town. And it must mean it's time for the annual Elephant Walk, too! This year's Elephant Walk will take place will be on Tuesday, March 18 into Wednesday March 19th, at midnight. The circus reaches New York City by way of train, stopping in Queens and head into Manhattan through the Queens-Midtown Tunnel for its stand at Madison Square Garden, so anywhere along 34th Street, between the tunnel and Manhattan Square Garden, is a spot where you can see the elephants. (The hardcore people sometimes convene around the exit at 35th Street and 2nd Avenue.)
Unloading will occur before midnight on Tuesday, March 18, and the elephants, other animals and circus performers are expected to start the walk at midnight (it's been late in years past, so be prepared to wait). The walk also becomes a stage for animal rights activists to protest the treatment of circus animals. Last year, we took video; John Philips, executive director for The League of Humane Voters said, "Not even the Bronx Zoo can provide for elephants' needs, why should we expect that Madison Square Garden can?"
This year's circus theme is "Over the Top," with a double decker trapeze, Bengal Tigers, and motorcyclists in the Globe of Steel. The first show is on March 20 and the circus is in town until April 6 (ticket info here).
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Being a hockey fan preparing for a playoff run is great when your home arena smells like elephant feces.
people still watch this sh*t?
I wanna see 'em in Queens, before they scuttle into Manhattan.
I am going to throw rocks at them as they walk past. Can't wait.
It's too bad Gothamist is portraying this as something good. Go to www.circuses.com to see the real story on elephants and circuses.
coopman, I have received a number of emails from readers asking me when the Elephant Walk is. In the second paragraph of this post, I also noted the tension in the event and that animal rights activists do appear - and if you watched the video, you'd see we tried to hear from both the circus and activisits.
Jen, I can appreciate that you tried to report both sides. What I would hope you and other's in a position of influence might do however is perhaps point out to the public the truth. Elephants are very social animals. They suffer greatly when confined the way circus and zoo elephants are, both physically and emotionally. I do not think the majority of people realize this. They see an elephant wearing a hat, looking like it's smiling and think "awww, how cute". But in reality they are abused and intimidated. There is a sanctuary that was formed for just this purpose, to take in circus and zoo elephants. You can find info at www.elephants.com. Unfortunately, the elephants are huge money makers for these shows and we all know money talks.
Coopman,
Zoos that belong to AZA, the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums, have extremely high standards for the care of animals. That being said, many, many zoos with elephants meet their physical and psychological needs. If you think about the elephant populations in Africa and Asia, they are being run out of their habitat by encroaching farmers. These farmers shoot and scare elephants from their crops. Elephants are starving to death, fighting disease and poachers, who can say this is any better than elephant populations in North America?
Oh, and by the way Coopman,
www.circuses.com, only portrays ONE SIDE, so spend the time your self to seek both sides.
Actually, many zoos are dicontinuing their elephant exhibits due to the fact that greater awareness about the suffering elephants encounter when confined in small enclosures. As far as finding out about the "other side" of circuses, I do not think there are two sides. In this day and age, are there really any people who believe it is humane to subject elephants (or an other animals) to a life of chains, intimidation and fear for our "entertainment"? How much better for our children to teach them about conservation and saving species, then teaching them that putting animals on cruel display is the right thing to do. I urge you to look at two sites for a 'non-PETA' view on this matter: www.pawsweb.org and www.elephants.com. Both non-profits were set up to take in animals who were subjected to circuses and zoos and suffered while there.
Creepy...
Re-thinking, rocks are cruel. Anyone know where I can pick up some bottle rockets before tonights event?
I have to agree with coopman. Parading Elephants down dirty tarmac in a dirty city all in single file isn't right. Elephants move in groups and I have never seen them in single file with their trunks stretched out and tied to the back of another Elephants tail. You really expect us to beleive that these creatures were trained nicely to do this? Your argument of the Elephants being run out of their habitat does not make this parade OK. I am no animal activist, but it's cruel and in humane. There are millions of humans being mistreated all over the world. What should we do, put them in fucking zoos?
...And Were212, I hope just before you fire one of these bottle rockets, it blows up in your face.
One does not need to categorize him or herself as an animal-rights activist to logically consider and understand that circuses, zoos, and aquariums (and any other penitentiary) are displays for human entertainment only. At the bare minimum, the more humane treatment of these 'wild' animals should be on licensed preservations: allow for the study of the animals in a natural habitat, allow for proper health treatment for displaced animals because of human encroachment, and does not subject the animals cruelty exemplified as servants to mankind as entertainment $$$.
Mistreatment/displacement of animals extends beyond entertainment. While the technology of man increases for the "betterment" of humankind, it destroys the social economy and pure survival of thousands of species on a global scale. And until mankind wholly realizes that our survival hangs in the balance will he begin to make changes. Huh, not in this lifetime!
And wer1212: sillypoo's point is understood but just as damaging. Why not read a book or ten at one of your local libraries! Educate yourself in an area that will provide you with constructive ammunition to help the community around you.
I think all of you are a way off your rockers!
Who thinks "Many zoos" are discontinuing their elephant habitats? Do you have the proof, or are you just getting all of your info from PETA, Paws, or IDA??????????
If you all are against zoos having animals, why did you pick a Panda bear, born in a zoo, as your avitar??
HYPOCRITES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, wait!!
Let me guess?
Because you thought it was cute, and it was entertaining right?
numnun: still "talking" about this one?
however, it is an interesting point given the topic.
unfortunately, the website has pre-determined this pic when the user does not select an avitar. Check your profile.
'C' for effort.