Tyke (ca. 1973 - 1994), and wild animals in circuses Tyke's last hours on earth - video 'According to USDA and Canadian law enforcement documents, while a Hawthorn elephant named Tyke was performing with Tarzan Zerbini Circus, “The elephant handler was observed beating the single-tusk African elephant in public to the point [where] the elephant was screaming and bending down on three legs to avoid being hit. Even when the handler walked by the elephant after this, the elephant screamed and veered away, demonstrating fear from his presence".' Source (pdf) The purpose of this website is to provide information about (a)Tyke, the elephant, who escaped from a circus in 1994 and after being shot 87 times, died a slow death on the streets of Honolulu, and (b)the practice of using animals by circuses: the website aims to show this should be banned by legislation without delay. Warning: This website includes text and images that may be found upsetting. Last updated: 2 January 2019

Tyke Tyke's life Aftermath Articles Videos Links My visits USDA
'Training' baby elephants

'Many find it difficult to believe circuses’ claims that they treat animals well, especially in light of the fact that “every major circus using wild animals as part of the circus has been cited for a violation of the AWA [Animal Welfare Act].” An even more distressing fact is that when circuses do violate the Animal Welfare Act and “a violation is found, the animals are not removed, rather, a fine is imposed upon the circus".' Anastasia Niedrich, 'Animals in circuses and the laws governing them', Michigan State University College of Law. 2010

3-part article: 'The Cruelest Show On Earth'