In 2007, almost 10 million people saw Cirque du Soleil in various locations across the globe. There aren’t any tigers or elephants. Monkeys don’t ride bicycles and poodles don’t prance around in tutus.
That circus features people doing flips, a combination of dance and acrobatics, jugglers and other amazing human feats. There are wild costumes and fantastical make-up. But no animals.
The lack of trained animals doesn’t stop people from going — with three top shows in Las Vegas, Cirque du Soleil is arguably the best attended circus anywhere, and certainly the most humane.
Traditional circuses, including the one visiting the fairgrounds later this month, are often fighting accusations of animal cruelty. PETA has this week asked Western Washington Fairground officials to cancel Circus Vasquez’s Puyallup engagement because it has incurred several serious violations of inhumane treatment to animals in recent years.
Children have better options for seeing and understanding animals in respectful environments, such as the Point Defiance Zoo or Northwest Trek. Is it time to reconsider the traditional circus’ place in society? Are they necessary? Do they provide entertainment value that we can’t find elsewhere?
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