Polar Bears - Data, Pictures and Videos

[peter]

GROLAR

A lot of posts to underline your point! I don't doubt, however, they're much appreciated by those interested in polar bears. They now know not all animals used in circuses are treated in the correct way. In some countries, trainers can still act as they see fit. Most no doubt care about their animals, but some push them in order to get to a bit of fame. It isn't any different in society. Most people working for a living like their job and treat their fellow man with respect, but those out for fame and money too at times are prepared to push the limits. My guess is it wasn't any different in European circuses not so long ago.

I witnessed the birth of organisations involved in 'animal rights' and support every attempt to prevent, or address, abuse and I'm not referring to 'exotic' animals only. There are many examples of people mistreating domestic animals. In most of Europe, as a result of new laws, circuses no longer are allowed to use 'exotic' animals. Private ownership of exotic 'pets' is all but finished. 

Legal actions to prevent and ban abuse were embraced by many politicians, if only because it had a positive effect on their popularity. The new laws, however, have a flip side. 

I interviewed quite a few trainers contracted by European circuses in the period organisations involved in 'animal rights' were all but unknown. When the tide changed, trainers declined requests for interviews. Not a few of them quit and some of those affected, and many were affected by the changes, decided for a premature end. I'm referring to those who were killed by the animals they loved. I've been involved in quite a few discussions about this topic in the 'workshops' I headed and heard stories, to quote Corbett, that would make a man weep.   

Did the new laws have other effects? The answer is affirmative. Millions of youngsters will never have the opportunity to see animals they never even heard of. Intimate knowledge was lost. Many trainers, condemned and dismissed out of hand for no reason, perished and that's still without the thousands of unwanted, misunderstood, unemployed and now superfluous captive big cats. Many thousands were euthanized. Does the eneral public know? I never read an article and never saw a documentary or a special report and organisations involved in 'animal rights' kept silent as well. Furthermore, many rewilding projects were abandoned. The interest in conservation was largely lost, funding is struggling and the general public lost their interest. 

The organisations involved in 'animal rights', however, are still here. They now focus on the meat market. They most certainly have as point (referring to the use of antibiotics and hormones and the inhumane methods used to quickly dispose of animals bred for consumption). Although they made a few headlines, the opponent is tough. The reason is the meat market is real big. Circuses and and trainers were easy targets, but when big money is at stake, things change. As far as I can see, it's all but game over for organisations involved in 'animal rights'. Too dangerous. 

And what about the way 'pets' are treated in most countries in the western hemisphere? Did the organisations involved in 'animal rights' have an effect on legislation? Inspection? The answer, as far as I can see, is zilch. El nil. You read articles about the way domestic animals are treated? Articles about the countless pets abused every year? And the other way round?   

Did I tell you about the days I visited zoos, private facilities and 'rescue centers' and talked to vets, biologists, trainers and directors of zoos and private facilities? Did I inform you about the days I participated in 'workgroups'? I even headed a few. They were an eye-opener in that I quickly found all members knew next to nothing about animals in general and exotic animals in particular. Remember I'm being very polite here. They, however, knew about contacts, publicity and how to play the media. It's very easy to affect the 'opinion' of most people. You can tell them just about anything and they'll buy it. 

Whatever you conclude, never ever think these organisations were about ('exotic') animals used in the circus. Or legislation and inspections. The circus was a try-out. They used the opportunity, made a few headlines, kept silent about the victims and moved on.  

All this to say circus animals, or pets for that matter, never were abused? Far from it. It happened and will always happen. That's humans for you. I know of trainers who lacked the abilities and the drive needed. One day, I asked a woman without a name if she was interested in an interview. She wasn't. Tony Hughes told me why. He knew, because he was hired to protect her. Another trainer withdrew at the very last moment. Although experienced, he met his match in a big black male jaguar. I talked to directors of training facilities and 'rescue centers' who saw a lot more. I heard stories from vets cleaning up the mess after an incident. A trainer killed by a bear or a big cat might get to a few headlines, but I never read an article about an animal killed in a fight that erupted after a manmade mistake. Based on what those who know told me, fights between animals of different species, although uncommon, were not very exceptional. All in all, I'd said Roth, who said just about anything is possible, was quite close.                              

In spite of all that, most trainers, cage hands, keepers, directors and all others involved in 'exotic' animals were really interested in the animals they knew. They were not complacent or arrogant and never mistreated the animals they took care of. Time and again, I noticed they distinguished between individuals, just like they did in humans. Some big cats and bears could be trusted, whereas others could not. Most captive predators, however, were no different from most humans, meaning they knew about 'keeping up appearances' and enjoyed flexible interpretations of rules. Meaning their behaviour depended on the circumstances and their mood. In this way, animals and keepers moved through the inevitable, which was captivity. 

Captive predators, as Clyde Beatty said in one of his books, are very aware of the food situation. Freedom is nice, but in a 'human-dominated landscape' it's hard to come by, not to mention starvation and legal problems. Adult big cats in particular are very aware of the situation they face and they also know a few things about psychology. Meaning they're really able to see the one hiding behind his everyday face and they know how to 'poke his tree'.       
  
Returning to the issues you raised in your posts. The book I used to inform those interested in (polar) bears (and big cats) was written by a man who was a trainer himself. A man genuinely interested in big cats, bears, the circus and trainers. His wife, although not a trainer herself, wasn't any different. When you read their book, you'll quickly conclude it was written by people who really care about the circus. Same for most people working in facilities and zoos. 

All trainers I interviewed were specialists in their own way. Big cat trainers in particular were keen observers. Not a few of them were leaning against the bars at some stage of the interview, meaning the stories you read about never turning your back on a big cat are just that. I'm convinced captive predators and trainers are capable of something most of us would describe as friendship. The bond they had might have compared to the bond soldiers develop during a war. A war they only survived because of the bond. They knew their back was covered at all times. A trainer attacked by an animal that had nurtured a grudge can always count on his brother in arms. In their book, the Tiede describe a few examples in which adult male polar bears featured. They were very real stories and the trainers involved told the Tiedes their brother in arms wasn't a polar bear or a tiger, but a true friend and a soulmate.  

These stories are exceptional. Same for the opposite. Most relationships, however, are like most relationships in humans. People get to know each other and continue a relationship or frienship for years, if not for life. But circumstances change and these changes can have an unexpected outcome. An experienced homicide detective told me not a few victims of violence were killed by those they least expected. Same in trainers and animals they work with? I don't know, but I do know nearly all trainers, like the cats they work with, are keen observers. They distinguish between individuals and more or less know in what way every individual will react in a specific situation. In a tense situation, you'll see things you never expected. In these situations in particular, trainers learn, meaning they adapt. If they don't, they might pay sooner or later. In friendships between humans, this not always is the case. Even when they see something they didn't expect, they often find a reason to continue. Apart from all that, life is quite unpredictable at the best of times. Most people don't want to know about exceptions. They prefer absolutes and safe routines. 

Right at the end, one can only conclude life is both interesting and complicated. Every adult is an individual and all want to be noticed in some way or another. Some use their own ability, but most use others in some way or another. Follow your heart, accept most people are opportunists and never blame others if you fail. Find stories you consider as inspiring and when your path crosses that of a wild animal, treat it with respect. Reply