A Life In Chains
September 28th, 2007 by admin
Each year, in October and November, the Cole Bros. Circus drags its sad menagerie of animals through Florida. Beginning next week, the circus will be performing in parking lots at shopping malls in north and central Florida.
During last year’s performances, we were very concerned about the circus’ two Asian elephants, “Tina” and “Jewel.” The elephants, ages 41 and 43, are among America’s aging population of captive elephants. Cole Bros. has repeatedly refused to retire aging elephants, even when it is obvious that they are suffering from painful arthritis or other captivity-induced health problems (conditions linked to prolonged chaining and lack of proper exercise). In April, the U.S. Department of Agriculture ordered the two elephants off the road. Unfortunately, the circus quickly replaced Tina and Jewel with three elephants from a different circus.
Cole Bros. also has a history of violent, physical abuse of elephants.
You can help
Please write to a mall near you and urge them not to rent space to circuses in the future.
Performance dates, and contact details:
October 1-4
University Mall (Pensacola, FL)
Phone: (850) 478-3601
Online comment form.
E-mail: jharrell@simon.com (Julie Harrell, Mall Manager)October 5-7
Santa Rosa Mall (Mary Esther, FL)
Phone: (850) 244-2172
E-mail: info@santarosamall.com, or william.bubel@am.jil.com (William Bubel, General Manager)October 19-21
Panama City Mall (Panama City, FL)
Phone (850) 769-3659
Online comment form.October 22-23
Governor’s Square Mall (Tallahassee, FL)
Phone: (850) 877-8106
Online comment form.October 24-25
The Oaks Mall (Gainesville, FL)
Phone: (352) 331-4411
Online comment form.October 29-30
Crystal River Mall (Crystal River, FL)
Phone: (352) 795-2585
Online comment form.