A bill that bans the use of elephants in circuses and other forms of entertainment is headed to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for his signature. The idea for the legislation originated with college students.
Students of Pace University’s Environmental Policy Clinic inspired the legislation sponsored by Republican Terrence Murphy in the Senate and Democrat Amy Paulin in the Assembly. They say the bill, which is supported by The Humane Society of the United States, safeguards all elephants from the physical and psychological harm inflicted upon them by living conditions, treatment, and cruel methods that are necessary to train elephants to perform in entertainment acts. Exemptions to the legislation include zoos, aquariums, wildlife sanctuaries and non-profit environmental education programs. The lawmakers say if Cuomo signs the measure, New York would become the first state in the nation to institute such a ban.
