Ringling Brothers circus plans to stop using elephants in its shows by 2018
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus will begin phasing out the use of elephants in its shows, The Associated Press reports. Thirteen Asian elephants will continue to tour with the company for a few more years before retiring to Ringling’s Center for Elephant Conservation in central Florida by 2018.
The company cited growing public concern for animal welfare and a “mood shift” from audiences as the reason behind its decision. Company president Kenneth Feld also claimed it was getting too expensive to fight anti-elephant legislation in cities around the US. Ringling’s three shows visit 115 cities throughout the year, some of which, like Ketchum and Sun Valley, Idaho, have recently passed “anti-circus” ordinances.
Show’s…
Source:: The Verge
