Ringling Bros. Retiring Circus Elephants 2 Years Early

Ringling Bros. Retiring Circus Elephants 2 Years Early

In March 2015, Feld Entertainment and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® announced that the Asian elephants currently touring with the shows would move by 2018 to the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation® in Florida (original news release). Today, they began the next phase of this transition and plan on having the relocation complete by May 2016, two years early.

The Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation is already home to the largest herd of Asian elephants and the most successful breeding program for this endangered species in the Western Hemisphere. We want you to be among the first to know that these majestic animals will move from the touring shows to their permanent home in May 2016. Thanks to the diligent work of the entire staff, we have made the necessary plans and preparations to move the elephants sooner than anticipated. The circus will continue to feature other extraordinary animal performers, including tigers, lions, horses, dogs and camels.

The elephants’ move to Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation will allow the company to focus on its Asian elephant conservation program and the pediatric cancer research partnership with Dr. Joshua Schiffman of Primary Children’s Hospital and The Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah, all while continuing to provide a unique family experience at the circus with the next edition of The Greatest Show On Earth

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey brings families together to share in pure fun and wonder through live entertainment. From now until May 2016, our elephants will continue to be a part of that wonderful experience, and we invite families that want to see our amazing elephants perform one last time to have an opportunity to do so. Our company and our family’s commitment to save the majestic Asian elephant will continue through our breeding program, research and conservation efforts at the Center. This transition will also allow us to fully focus on the role our elephants have in the pioneering pediatric cancer research project with Dr. Schiffman.

All of us here at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey appreciate your continued support. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit us at Ringling.com. We look forward to welcoming you and your family and friends at the next edition of The Greatest Show On Earth

 

Media Release and images provided by Feld Entertainment, Inc.