Contacts to Turner Broadcasting re: Ringling reality show

March 28, 2008

Please call/write Turner Broadcasting's President and other affiliated people about stopping the reality show on Ringling. These animal torturers do NOT deserve to be gloryfied in the media. They are hiding from a lawsuit and buying expensive PR. I'm sure they won't show the "training" sessions, chaining sessions and endless boxcar travel. Action Alert: Let TNT Know What You Think of Its Ringling Bros. Reality Show Published 03/24/08 Recently, cable station Turner Network Television (TNT) announced plans to air a reality show featuring Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The show will send TNT’s cameras inside the Ringling train as it travels from city to city, in what will likely amount to nothing more than a lengthy Ringling commercial. The reality is that Ringling Bros. circus animals may spend up to 11 months of the year

traveling, caged or chained for upwards of 21 hours per day, enduring extreme conditions, and forced to perform unnatural tricks which they may also find painful. This will likely not be the reality portrayed in the TNT show. Unfortunately, this show will become another marketing vehicle for Ringling. Bros. as it reaches into the homes of millions of viewers across the country — many of whom may be unaware of the sad reality of the living and training conditions experienced by the animal performers. Please contact the executives who are responsible for producing and airing this show today and urge them to abandon their plans to air this Ringling Bros. reality show. Thank you for taking action on behalf of animals in the circus! How You Can Help Please contact TNT president Steve Koonin, and producers Mark Wolper and Al Hassas, and politely urge them to abandon plans to air the Ringling reality show.

Let them know you are incredibly dismayed to hear of this business decision which will likely keep the actual reality of life for circus animals hidden from public view. Remind them that after learning of the abuse inherent in animal circuses, major corporations such as Denny's, Lukoil, General Mills, Burger King, Liz Claiborne, MasterCard, Visa, and Sears, Roebuck & Co. ended their promotions of circuses like Ringling Bros. Steve Koonin, President Turner Entertainment Networks1050 Techwood Dr.Atlanta, GA 30318404-827-3933404-575-5294 faxanne.smith (his assistant) Mark Wolper, President The Wolper Organization4000 Warner Blvd., Bldg. 14, Room 200Burbank, CA 91522-0001818-954-1421818-954-1593 faxkathleen.doise (his assistant) Al Hassas, Executive Producer

Collective Media9100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700West Beverly Hills, CA 90212310-888-1522310-888-1555 faxal If you have questions and to let us know you took action, Additional Talking Points A lawsuit is currently pending in federal court under the Endangered Species Act, against Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and its parent company Feld Entertainment, regarding their mistreatment of Asian elephants. Born Free USA (formerly the Animal Protection Institute) is a plaintiff in this case, along with other leading animal advocacy organizations and a former Ringling Bros. employee. Ringling Bros. circus animals may spend up to 11 months of the year traveling, caged or chained for upwards of 21 hours per day, enduring extreme conditions,

and forced to perform unnatural tricks which they may also find painful. Inspection reports of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reveal continual citations for violations of the very minimal standards set forth in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Circuses with animal performers may appear to be fun-filled family events, and a good forum for a reality show. But in reality, circuses are no fun for the animals involved — whose spirits are broken as they are trained to perform through force and intimidation. Recent photographic and video documentation continues to confirm the occurrence of such abuse. http://pets.Fortheanimals7/join