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Shirley, now 54, was just 5 years old when she was torn from her family and sold to the Kelly-Miller Circus, which forced her to “perform” for 23 years. In 1977, another elephant injured Shirley’s leg, so Shirley was sent to a Louisiana zoo, where she spent the next 22 years all alone.
Then a zoo employee contacted the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tenn., a natural-habitat refuge for Asian elephants and home to three other Asian elephants, Tarra, Barbara, and Jenny. The sanctuary agreed to take Shirley—and she soon started out on her journey to her safe haven. When she arrived, Shirley was afraid to leave the trailer. After an hour, she finally backed out, and the last chain she would ever wear was removed from her leg. The people watching were so happy, they cried.
After Shirley enjoyed some fresh fruits and veggies, a cooling shower, and rest, she met Tarra, who gently inspected Shirley’s old injury. They intertwined their trunks and made that wonderful elephant “purring sound.”
When Jenny returned to the barn, another amazing thing happened—Jenny and Shirley touched each other and began trumpeting together. It turned out that 22 years earlier, when Shirley was 30 and Jenny was just a baby, they had been together in the same circus! Even after all those years, the elephants never forgot.
After more than two decades apart, rescued friends Jenny and Shirley will now be together—forever.
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Ringling Tigers Don’t Have It Made in the Shade
Two tigers used by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus hurt themselves trying frantically to escape from their cages during the summer’s blazing heat. One tiger tore at the cage and broke his tooth. Another tiger hurt his eye.
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 Razzle-Dazzle ... and Frazzled!
Look beyond the sequins and smiles on the human performers—you’ll see unhappy animals. They ride bikes, jump through fiery hoops, and stand on their heads because they’ve learned to fear electric prods, whips, bullhooks, and other “training tools.”
Not all circuses use animals—many circuses, including Cirque Ingénieux, Cirque du Soleil, and The New Pickle Family Circus, feature only willing human performers.
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 Is the circus coming to your town?
Ask everyone you know to suggest alternative fundraisers to the sponsors.
If the sponsors refuse to cancel, contact PETA’s Grassroots Campaign Department —we’ll hook you up with details on organizing a demonstration and all the materials you’ll need. For more information, visit our Web site at Circuses.com.
 Silly “Trix” Aren’t for Animals
General Mills makes Cheerios, Trix, and Wheaties cereals—and also sponsors the UniverSoul Circus and Circo Mundial, which “rent” chimpanzees, elephants, tigers, and other performing animals. Tell the company you’ll say “Adios!” to Cheerios until it agrees to sponsor only animal-free circuses.
Write to:
Mr. Stephen W. Sanger
Chair and CEO
General Mills
201 General Mills Blvd.
P.O. Box 1113
Minneapolis, MN 55440-1113
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Gill the Fish, PETA’s 6-foot-tall mascot with a mission, has nearly worn out his sneakers pounding the pavement to remind people that fish have feelings, too. Although he sometimes felt like a fish out of water, Gill kept his chin up during his recent U.S. tour, crusading for his finned friends. Luckily for us, Gill took his laptop along and sent daily missives about life on the road.
Here are some highlights ...
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Biloxi, Miss.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back on the sidewalk again ... After asking Seafood Industry Museum visitors to keep fish off their forks, I strolled down the tourist strip—and nearly became an appetizer for Jaws! Yikes!
My, what big teeth you have!
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Memphis, Tenn.
Got people ”all shook up” at Presley Plaza when I told them that fishing hurts. But I know the ”King” would never be cruel to a fish who’s true! Elvis’ favorite snack was even fish-friendly: fried peanut butter-and-banana sandwiches. I also hit the Elvis fest in Virginia Beach, where all the other Presley impersonators wanted their pictures taken with ... Elfish!
"Elfish" has left the building.
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New Orleans, La.
Donned my chef’s hat today and served up my favorite dish: grilled "humans." Don’t worry—I eat my veggies, not my friends. My "people" patties were fake!
Do you have any Grey Poupon?
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Crater Lake, Ore.
I nearly froze my fins off at the Crater Lake National Park asking anglers to get hooked on compassion. Not every day is a picnic for Gill the Fish.
Which way to Florida?
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San Francisco, Calif.
Larry the Lobster and I braved Fisherman’s Wharf today to urge passersby to eat faux fish —or no fish! Larry says Americans gobble up about 17 million of our aquatic friends every year. Oh, the inhumanity!
Larry says: "Eat beans, not beings"
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Tampa, Fla.
Don’t dip me in butter, but do pass the suntan oil! After spending a long day handing out free Tuno (veggie tuna) sandwiches to attendees of the aquaculture conference (that’s fish farming to you and me), I was able to catch a few rays— no, not that kind!—by the pool.
Fish out of water
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