The Audio Long Read From the archive: The elephant vanishes: how a circus family went on the run
Jul 17, 2024
Follow the story of a circus family and their elephant, Dumba, as they escape from animal rights activists, settle in a village in France, and face backlash. Learn about the changing views on using wild animals in circuses, the compassionate nature of elephants, and the challenges of rescuing and relocating former circus elephants to sanctuaries.
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Pandemic's Impact on Circus Life
- The COVID-19 pandemic heightened conflicts between circus owners and animal rights activists due to increased scrutiny.
- The pandemic's lockdown forced the Kludskys and Dumba to stay put, intensifying tensions and challenges.
Kludski Family and Dumba's Journey
- The Kludski family, circus performers for decades, owned Dumba the elephant and traveled Europe performing.
- Despite loving her, they faced increasing pressure and scrutiny from animal rights activists.
Elephant Cognition Revealed
- Discoveries showed elephants have complex cognition and emotions, drastically changing public perception.
- Elephants' social bonds and intelligence clash with the harsh conditions typical in circuses.