Thinking of Elephants

Met up with some close friends who were at Krabi recently. Much boisterous exchanging of recent overseas stories. The girls thought of me while there and did some impromptu yoga (their version of) in the water and Priya got me this bookmark knowing I'd appreciate it (I collect bookmarks).

It is appreciated, especially at a time when I'm often reminded of the elephant tourism industry. Which then leads my train of thought to the dolphin and orca tourism industry. Then to circuses.

Is it ever fair/right/acceptable to train animals to perform? If the answer is "no" are we losing something that could enrich our lives the way this culture/tradition has as we were children, are we depriving our children of something that filled us with wonder/awareness/amazement/entertainment? Is it fair that circuses and the dolphin/orca shows become something grandparents fondly describe to indifferent children? Can awareness, interest and conservation not be planted in children's hearts via these shows? Is it trully cruel that intelligent animals be trained and perform? Breaking elephants and drugging tigers I stand against, then again, horses are broken too, or is it "were"?