Tigers and lions usually live and travel in cages 4 feet by 6 feet by 5 feet. They work from fear. Bears may have their noses broken while being trained or have their paws burned to force them to stand on their hind legs. Click here to download video of big-cat training techniques . Because of the enormous size and strength of elephants, most trainers rely on chains and fear to make them obey.
Some elephants spend almost their whole lives in chains.
In the wild, the life expectancy of elephants is the same as ours. In the circus, many elephants die prematurely of disease and the stress of confinement. Animal Attacks Elephants in circuses are rebelling in attempts to escape their sad existences. Since 1990, elephants have killed at least 46 people and injured many more. In 1994, an elephant killed her trainer and injured 12 spectators before being gunned down by almost 100 bullets while running terrified through downtown Honolulu.