In a shocking new video released by PETA Germany, workers at a German zoo were caught using whips, bullhooks, and even, in one instance, a fist to force elephants to perform circus-style tricks to entertain visitors.

Elephant expert Carol Buckley, who evaluated the footage, explained that the sole purpose of this systematic abuse – whereby trainers inflict pain on adult and baby elephants for even the slightest perceived transgression – is to teach them tricks and that it can lead to long-lasting trauma.

In the wild, elephants walk long distances, swim, explore, play, and enjoy complex social relationships, but in barren zoo enclosures they’re denied everything that is natural and important to them. Elephants in zoos generally live less than half as long as their wild counterparts.

PETA Germany has filed a complaint with local law enforcement and is calling for the facility’s elephant exhibit and breeding programme to be closed. You can help put an end to cruelty like this by refusing to visit any zoo, circus, or other attraction that holds elephants captive for human entertainment.