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The trial against Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus began today, amidst a whirlwind of press on both sides. Several animal welfare groups, including Born Free USA, ASPCA, the Animal Welfare Institute, and several others, along with a former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (Ringling) employee, are suing Ringling for violating the Endangered Species Act by cruelly mistreating Asian elephants. The Asian elephant is currently listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), meaning that any acts that would “harm, wound, injure, harass, or kill” an Asian elephant in the wild or in captivity are prohibited. The lawsuit alleges that a number of routine practices by Ringling are in violation of the Endangered Species Act, including the forceful use of a bullhook and the chaining of elephants for most of the day and night. If you would like to follow the most up-to-date events in this trial, please follow Born Free USA on Twitter!