Activists favor outlawing
elephant acts

A ban on large exotic animals would be the appropriate memorial for Tyke the elephant, according to an animal activist.

"I would prefer to watch people performing who have a choice, who enjoy what they're doing," said Cathy Goeggel, of Animal Rights of Hawaii. "The animals have no choice. They're slaves. That is not entertainment."

Past attempts to ban large animals in circus performances held in Hawaii following the 1994 rampage of Tyke failed at the city and state level.

However, there has not been an animal act involving an elephant in the state since the Tyke incident.

"I don't believe that wild animals should be used in entertainment in any way. They are forced to train often through negative means that is completely against their nature purely for the entertainment of people," said Pam Burns, executive director of the Hawaiian Humane Society. "Those acts don't help us understand the animals any better. I think it's very wrong."

Burns noted that Tyke had behavioral problems before the incident at the Blaisdell Arena, where she trampled trainer Allen Campbell to death.

She recalled Tyke's death as "one of the saddest moments in my career."

More needs to be done concerning the welfare of animals, she said. "It will take time. It just takes time."

Honolulu Zoo Director Kenneth Redman said he also does not believe elephants should be part of circus performances. "If I had my choice, I wouldn't have them in the circus," said Redman. "The negatives outweigh the positives."

It seems pointless to have animals in circuses as entertainment, said Tyler Ralston, who witnessed Tyke's rampage.

Calls seeking comment to other circus organizations such as the Tarzan Zerbini Circus, Culpepper and Merriweather Circus as well as the Outdoor Amusement Business Association were not returned.