For animals in the impoverished, unnatural conditions of a traveling circus, it’s no surprise many go out of their minds. Abnormal, repetitive, “stereotypic” behavior takes over – pacing up and down, weaving from side to side, head bobbing and swaying. Animal behaviorists regard these abnormal behaviors as a sign that the animal’s welfare is compromised and it is not coping with its environment. We call it circus madness.





