Your willingness to consider HR 2929 is noted and deeply appreciated by all of us who seek passage of this very important bill. It has been suggested that I present a film today that graphically depicts the danger to human life when elephants that have been subjected to deprivation and cruelty for countless miserable years finally reach the breaking point. But, before we view this impressive film, allow me to point out that even if a circus had the best of intentions, authorities on elephant behavior charge that it is impossible for a circus to provide an acceptable existence for elephants. According to experts, elephants have three basic needs. One is food.
Elephants eat live vegetation.
In their natural habitat elephants graze up to 20 hours a day. A second basic need for elephants is extensive social relationships. In the wild they form intricate lifelong relationships. In a circus families and compatible individual elephants are separated without hesitation or consideration for the psychological effect on the elephants involved. And a third basic need for elephants is freedom of movement.