The only fabrication is Ringling continuing to deceive the public, families and children about how much they love the animals. The video clearly shows
a Ringling trainer hitting the elephant in the face near the eye and back of the leg with a bullhook, the tool of the trade, along with electric prods. The bullhook you see the trainer use is a three foot rod with a sharp metal spike and hook at one end. It is used for one purpose, and one purpose only, to inflict pain, and dominate the elephant. Her spirit is broken, as Ringling began using it on her when she was a baby to fear her trainer, She was painfully separated from her mother, never to see her again. In the wild she would live with her mother, sisters, aunts all of her life and form a close knit family like humans.

Not fabrication is Ringling has been in a lawsuit, for violating the Endangered Species Act for cruel treatment of the Asian elephants, and to stand trial this year in Washington D.C. 2008. The elephants will get their day in court finally. These majestic female elephants deserve respect not abuse.
awionline.org/wildlife/elephants/rbsuit.htm

Just because the bullhook is USDA approved means you have no right to use it.
awionline.org/pubs/Quarterly/03-52-4/524p5.htm

Schumacher is deceived, or does not care, "Ringling is at the forefront of elephant cruelty", what?. At least 25 of Ringling's Endangered Asian elephants have died since 1992, (including 4 baby elephants). awionline.org/pubs/Quarterly/fall00/f00elephants.htm

Ken Feld (Ringling owner), "Were in the 21st Century, time to get out of your darkness of greed and exploiting elephants, most of them wild caught and were once free. The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee elephants.com/ is a place where they can be free again and retire with dignity, and respect, and enjoy just being elephants and never be forced again to perform just so you can line your pockets with dollars."