PT Barnum Had Many Gray Areas Which The Movie ‘The Greatest Showman’ Ignores

4Elephants were used to be hit by sharp bullhook

The elephants which were imported from Sri Lanka had to undergo a lot of pain and torture at the circus. They also used a torturous burning method against the elephants. The elephants were also used to be hit by sharp bullhook, a huge rod equipped with a sharp stainless steel hook, to train them for cry. This act had created a tradition among all the circuses around the world. This act of animal cruelty continues till date.

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5Barnum’s circus was penalized for animal rights violations

Barnum and Bailey is in the habit of handling its elephants with bullhooks till the time they were phased out of the show. The circus was also penalized by more than £200,000 for animal rights violations in the year 2011.

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6Barnum was teetotaller but his elephant was known for drinking keg of beer at one go

Barnum was also a known teetotaller who also led temperance movement. But, his star elephant, Jumbo, was also famously known for his act of drinking entire keg of beer in single sitting.

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7Beluga whales died at Barnum’s Museum in New York

It was not only the elephants which suffered at the Barnum’s circus and museums. He once grabbed nine Beluga whales which were displayed at his Museum in New York from 1961 to 1865. Two of them were kept at the basement tank which was full of fresh water. He had also added a great amount of salt to create sea like conditions. The second pair had died immediately despite all the arrangements.

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