Behind the Big Top: Man on Mission to Save Elephants from the Ringling Bros. Circus

Tom Rider, a former employee of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, is on a mission to save elephants from cruelty.

Early next year, a lawsuit filed on behalf of Rider, the Animal Welfare Institute, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Animal Protection Institute, and the Fund for Animals, will get a trial date. The lawsuit, which was filed in 2000, has taken a long path toward trial. "The lawsuit against Ringling Bros. was filed in federal court because they are in violation of the Endangered Species Act. We have video footage and it's appalling. I worked as a barn man for two and a half years from 1997 to November 1999. My job was to never take my eyes off the elephants. I saw the cruelty first hand," Rider said.

Rider remains devoted to his elephants. "This cruelty will stop. It has to stop," Rider said. "There's a lot of evidence that will come out in the trial, much of it is already public knowledge. I saw elephants being hit with bullhooks and bleed from the use of these sharp instruments. I left because of the abuse. I said, 'I've got to get help, I've got to get my girls out of Ringling.' My elephants are still my girls."

Rider says the elephants are mistreated in circus life. "Ringling is doing great damage to the elephants. They're chained up all the time, they run them 50 weeks of the year, and I couldn't take it anymore. Elephants are not meant to ride a tricycle. Elephants are not made to play basketball. Elephants are not made for the circus. I want people to know that Ringling puts on a show, but backstage, it's a whole different story," Rider explained.

"Elephants get hit backstage. They cut them so bad behind the ears; I could put my finger in the scars and gashes," Rider said. "My goal is to protect the elephants and let the public know what really happens at the circus."

Rider will be testifying during the trial. Tracy Silverman, General Counsel of the Animal Welfare Institute, praised him for coming forward and devoting so much of his time and energy to helping the elephants. "Tom Rider's testimony will contribute to the wealth of evidence we have amassed and plan to present when we go to trial next year. Moreover, he has spent the past eight years of his life educating the public about the ongoing cruelty behind Ringling's big top," Silverman said.

"Four baby elephants have died at Ringling. They are taken away from their mothers as babies and their treatment is horrible," Rider said. "The lawsuit is about the elephants. I have the ability with this lawsuit to save my elephants. I want to know in my heart that they're okay and that´s the best I can do. I'm seeking justice. I spend my whole life living in my van, traveling the country to spread my message. Somebody somewhere is going to hear the message. They're killing elephants and it will come out. It will come out in court next year."

Rider is also sending a message to families. "This is long overdue. Ringling has been getting away with it for way too long. I want families to know when they go to a circus to be aware that there is abuse going on behind the tent. There is other entertainment out there for kids. Take the kids to Cirque Du Soleil, where no animals are involved. Do you want to take a chance that an elephant is beaten to perform? Think about what you're exposing your children to at the circus," Rider added. "Elephants are wonderful animals but the circus is for profit. If you pay for a ticket to the circus, ask yourself, what are you paying for?"

For more information link to Animal Welfare Institute at www.awionline.org.

Picture from Animal Protection Institute website courtesy of PETA.

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