In a recent viral video posted to Twitter, someone is filming as a handler washes a captive elephant. The animal leans forward onto their trunk and head, moving into a headstand while a man sprays the creature down with water. While an elephant standing on their head might seem amusing at first glance, it’s an unnatural behavior that these majestic beings do not display in the wild.

Circus elephants live in an environment that is far from natural. Bound by chains and shipped from location to location via train prevents them from engaging in their most basic behaviors.

Elephants are incredibly intelligent and emotional creatures. In the wild, they have dynamic lives and play an integral role in forming their ecosystems. The more we learn about these self-aware animals, the harder it becomes to justify keeping them in captivity and profiting off of them.

Source: Viciousprime/Youtube

While these circus tricks may seem amusing and innocent, former circus employees have reported that in addition to being beaten, circus elephants are often denied food and water, “all to force them to learn their routines.” They learn quickly that if they want to eat or drink, then they must perform.

No animals deserve to suffer for the sake of our trivial entertainment. Sign this petition to tell Twitter to implement a stronger system to catch these videos before they go viral.

Elephants Shouldn't Be Taught to Perform Unhealthy TricksClick Here to Sign Petition

To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to theOne Green Planet Newsletter! Also, don’t forget to download the Food Monster App on iTunes — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan, and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!