It's a simple question that's caused a lot of controversy over the years....At the heart of the matter are allegations by animal-welfare activists that brutal training methods are used to coerce elephants—which can weigh as much as 8,000 pounds (3,600 kilograms)—into performing tricks such as headstands.
Elephants and Laws
Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the African elephant is listed as a threatened species, and the Asian elephant is listed as an endangered species.
"Endangered" means a species is considered in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. "Threatened" means a species is considered in danger of becoming endangered.
This protection prohibits elephant parts and products from being imported into the United States, except under certain conditions.
In addition, elephants are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an agreement among more than 120 nations to eliminate illegal trade in animals and plants, such as elephants, and their parts and associated products. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the federal agency responsible for the U.S. government's compliance with the CITES treaty.
The African Elephant Conservation Act of 1988 prohibits the import of raw or worked ivory into the U.S., with certain exceptions. It also set up a grant program to fund elephant conservation efforts.
In June 1989, the U.S. government imposed a ban on commercial importation of African elephant ivory into the country. This led to a commercial ivory trade ban being adopted by all CITES member nations later in 1989.
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Some three dozen communities in 15 U.S. states ban, restrict, or regulate animal performances. Localities that have banned circuses, rodeos, and other animal acts include Stamford, Connecticut; Hollywood, Florida, Boulder, Colorado, and Pasadena, California.....
Elephant Abuse Charges Add Fuel to Circus Debate
Elephants and Laws
Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the African elephant is listed as a threatened species, and the Asian elephant is listed as an endangered species.
"Endangered" means a species is considered in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. "Threatened" means a species is considered in danger of becoming endangered.
This protection prohibits elephant parts and products from being imported into the United States, except under certain conditions.
In addition, elephants are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an agreement among more than 120 nations to eliminate illegal trade in animals and plants, such as elephants, and their parts and associated products. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the federal agency responsible for the U.S. government's compliance with the CITES treaty.
The African Elephant Conservation Act of 1988 prohibits the import of raw or worked ivory into the U.S., with certain exceptions. It also set up a grant program to fund elephant conservation efforts.
In June 1989, the U.S. government imposed a ban on commercial importation of African elephant ivory into the country. This led to a commercial ivory trade ban being adopted by all CITES member nations later in 1989.
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Some three dozen communities in 15 U.S. states ban, restrict, or regulate animal performances. Localities that have banned circuses, rodeos, and other animal acts include Stamford, Connecticut; Hollywood, Florida, Boulder, Colorado, and Pasadena, California.....
Elephant Abuse Charges Add Fuel to Circus Debate
