A monkey looks up in fear at a person who holds a stick to its face. The monkey is on a stage at a circus.

Animals in entertainment

The cruelty behind the curtain

Across Asia, wild animals are forced to perform in circuses, street shows and theme parks. Tigers jumping through hoops. Monkeys riding bicycles. Bears spinning in circles. These acts may draw applause – but they’re built on pain, fear and a complete denial of the animals’ needs.

Forced to entertain

Wild animals don’t perform willingly. They’re trained using fear, pain and punishment. Most are taken from their mothers when they’re just babies and subjected to brutal training that leaves lasting physical and emotional scars.

Tiger standing on hind legs behind a net, performing in a circus arena with two other tigers seated in the background.
Moon bear wearing a muzzle and yellow outfit performing on a colorful rolling barrel in a circus ring.
Circus monkey dressed in costume riding on a dog around a brightly lit arena with flower props.
Three tigers standing on hind legs during a circus performance, responding to a trainer with a stick.

Common training methods include:

  • Beatings with whips, metal rods or bull hooks
  • Food deprivation to enforce obedience
  • Isolation to break their spirit
  • Removal of claws or teeth in large carnivores
Moon bear wearing a costume and muzzle, balancing two red buckets on a pole in a circus ring.
Two dolphins performing with colorful hoops in a pool during a show.
Ostrich pulling a performer on a tricycle during a circus act in an indoor arena.
Elephant sitting and raising its trunk in a circus ring, performing in front of an audience and trainer.

The hidden reality of animal performances

After the crowds have left, the animals are often confined to barren cages – far removed from the environments they need to thrive.

Many display unnatural repetitive behaviours – like pacing, swaying or self-mutilation – signs of deep psychological distress.

Moon bear in a costume and muzzle walking upright on a red circus stage behind a performer.
Circus performer with his head inside a crocodile’s open mouth on a red stage.
Four elephants standing in a row under a large yellow and blue circus tent.
Moon bear wearing a muzzle and harness, standing on a red circus stage.

They often develop:

  • Arthritis and joint issues from unnatural movements
  • Mental illness from isolation, fear and trauma
  • Physical injuries that go untreated for years
  • Shortened life spans due to chronic stress and poor nutrition

These animals aren’t performing for fun. They’re performing to survive.

Several dogs in individual wire cages lined up along a wall in a shelter or kennel facility.
Five white cats confined in stacked metal cages on a stage, each cage labeled with a number.
Two chained monkeys on a concrete floor near a wire fence, one lying down and one standing.
Tiger in a small cage inside a rundown circus trailer, surrounded by metal bars and equipment.

Change is possible

Public attitudes are shifting. Thanks to years of our campaigning and growing awareness, some facilities are abandoning wild animal shows altogether.

In 2021, Hanoi Central Circus – after working closely with Animals Asia – committed to ending wild animal performances and released their last two bears into our care.

Meet one of the bears, Little Mac

 

What we're doing

See how Animals Asia is working to end these industries