The combination of this treatment often causes them to become depressed or go insane. Circus elephants, in particular, suffer immensely when they are separated from their family units, chained by the legs for up to 23 hours per day, shipped around the world in tiny crates, and abused with bullhooks and other training devices. There is also no question that they are ill-suited to captivity and are often physically and psychologically harmed by it. There is no question that elephants, orcas, and other wild animals are highly intelligent and sensitive beings. Of course, Tilikum the orca is notorious for killing his trainer in 2010 by violently pulling her under the water at SeaWorld Orlando. In 2003, famed performer Roy Horn was mauled by one of his captive tigers. In 1992, Janet the elephant was shot to death after breaking away from her trainer while being forced to give rides to children in Florida. While Tyke's story is shocking, stories of wild animals snapping and lashing out at people are unfortunately nothing new. Entering the world of circus elephants unlike ever before, this new documentary stands poised to make an important contribution to ongoing debates regarding holding wild animals captive so that they can entertain people. " Tyke Elephant Outlaw" tells Tyke's story, from her obvious frustration with being forced to perform mindless tricks to the rampage that left one person dead and several more injured. Thanks to a new documentary opening at the Sarasota Film Festival this month, that may soon change. While Tilikum is now well-known, many people may not be as familiar with Tyke, the circus elephant who went on a deadly rampage in Hawaii in 1994. The film not only introduced the public to Tilikum, it created a wave of backlash against holding orcas captive in marine parks such as SeaWorld. Thanks to the successful documentary, " Blackfish," most people are now familiar with Tilikum, the orca made infamous for his role in the tragic death of his SeaWorld Orlando trainer, Dawn Brancheau. *Reblogged from One Green Planet* One Green Planet Article
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