You asked if legislation similar to 2005 Proposed House Bill (PHB) 6413, An Act Prohibiting the Use of Elephants for the Purpose of Entertainment by Traveling Shows, Theatrical Exhibitions, and Circuses, has passed in other states and what would happen to the elephants if many states prohibited them from performing.

PHB 6413 prohibits traveling shows, theatrical exhibitions, and circuses from using elephants for entertainment. Proponents of the bill argue that the elephants used for such entertainment are mistreated and abused, among other things. Opponents disagree. We have attached testimony from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Elephant Managers Association to show opposing views.

No other state has passed legislation similar to PHB 6413, which the Environment Committee heard at a March 4, 2005 public hearing, but took no action on.

PHB 6413 did not address what would happen to the elephants if many states prohibited circuses and other shows from using them to entertain. It is possible that they would go to an elephant sanctuary (e. g. , the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee, which is licensed by the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee

Wildlife Resources Agency, and designed for elephants who have been retired from zoos and circuses, according to its website). It is unclear what, if any, impact such laws would have on the capture of wild elephants.

Feld Entertainment, Inc. , the parent company of Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey^®, testified that its circus would not come to the state if Connecticut banned the use of elephants in circuses and other shows.

JH: dw