It makes now sense for any zoo, circus, aquarium or any other business built around animals not to give them top notch care. Their lively hoods are built around the well being of these animals. Unfortunately most people are sheep and believe whatever they are told. It doesn't help when you have groups like PETA who think that all animals are better off dead then being in captivity. They make their voices heard and unfortunately people listen.
Eh, had a friend who worked for Ringling who also swore the same things about great animal treatment. Brought me to a friend's/family only preview of a new show - you could clearly see the scars on the flanks of the tigers from the training.
And of course what we'd consider harsh treatment for an animal that didn't perform on command - as this was still a rehearsal show.
Same things I saw at SeaWorld when I worked there - post documentary.
Critter doesn't perform, critter gets treated horrifically to do so.
Funny part was the third party they use for birds in shows (yeah, they hire third party to remove themselves from any liability or having the bulk of training/rearing happen on site in view of lots of workers). They'd claim the guy was all about his birds and they were treated better than the actors.
Ya know, until they were training them on a new trick and one would fly off into a theatrical light or something. Assuming it survived injury, it was denied food, and you'd see them specifically punish certain animals and rewarding others with food for doing the tricks properly. Then back in the box/crate to sit for hours between shows or rehearsals.