Ringling Bros. to Retire All Circus Elephants in May — 2 Years Early

[joeybee12]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is ending its elephant acts a year and a half early, and will retire all of its touring elephants in May.

The move comes amid increasing scrutiny on circus elephant acts with local governments passing "anti-circus" and "anti-elephant" ordinances in response to concerns over animal cruelty.

The circus's parent company, Feld Entertainment, told The Associated Press exclusively that all of the iconic elephants will be permanently retired to the company's 200-acre Center for Elephant Conservation in central Florida. There are currently 11 elephants on tour with the circus.

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/ringling-bros-retire-all-circus-elephants-may-2-years-early-n493986

Good! Hope smaller circuses follow suit.

[niyad]

1. so not impressed. what has taken them so damned long?

[joeybee12]

3. Money...

They make money off them...and with them not being able to take them to numerous cities because of local laws passed, it's probably costing them to only take them to the few that still allow it.

[Ed Suspicious]

2. I hope they've retired the mermaid as well.

[RiffRandell]

4. No animals in circuses.

Bottom line.

[niyad]

5. exactly

[Duppers]

6. +100

I hate circuses.

[Human101948]

7. And clowns!

Scary mothers!

[Terra Alta]

8. This is good news. Nt

[SoLeftIAmRight]

9. love elephants - take a look

must see -
http://www.wimp.com/elephantsreunited/

happens here

http://elephants.com/

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee

Aerial View of SanctuaryThe Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee, is the nation's largest natural-habitat refuge developed specifically to meet the needs of endangered elephants. It is a non-profit organization, licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and accredited by the Association of Sanctuaries, designed specifically for old, sick or needy elephants who have been retired from zoos and circuses. Utilizing more than 2700 acres, it provides three separate and protected, natural-habitat environments for Asian and African elephants. Our residents are not required to perform or entertain for the public; instead, they are encouraged to live like elephants.

[JI7]

10. i never got the appeal of animal shows

And i like animals also but would prefer to watch them just as they are rather than performing for humans.