The National Anthem starts playing, then an Asian Elephant comes out of the curtain to walk around the arena bearing the U.S. Flag. A form of patriotism that touches me (as a veteran) in no other way I have ever seen involving an animal. This will no longer be a part of the Ringling Circus because it was just announced that the Asian Elephants will no longer be a part of the circus starting in July. This moves up the timetable a year and a half earlier from the originally announced plan to retire the elephants. 

The elephants have been part of the Ringling Brothers Circus ever since P.T. Barnum himself debuted Jumbo, an African Elephant, on Easter Sunday in Madison Square Garden in New York back in 1885. In the years since, the Asian Elephants have always been a part of The Ringling Circus to entertain the “children of all ages.” The magic that the elephant brings to the circus can never be duplicated by any other act. It is something about the sheer intelligence, the mass size, and the awe it inspires in the youth when they appear.

Elephants are known to be very intelligent creatures and have been used in menageries and circuses back in Ancient Egypt, China, Greece and Rome. Sadly, the African Elephant is considered “Vulnerable” and the Asian Elephant is considered “Endangered” by the International Union for Conservation and Nature. Over the years, the Humane Society of the United States has accused the circuses of abuse and cruelty. The main reason is because of the use of “bull-hooks” that is used as part of the training.

Last year Kenneth Feld, whose father bought the Ringling Circus back in 1967 and runs Feld Enterprises with his three daughters, announced that the last 13 performing elephants will retire by 2018. They would then join the other 29 pachyderms at the Center for Elephant Conservation. Ingrid E. Newkirk, the president of PETA said it was her group that made this happen. Kenneth Feld insists that it wasn’t the animal rights activists that forced this decision, but it was the continuing passing or ordinances that are “anti-circus” or “anti-elephant” that made it difficult to organize 3 traveling circuses to 115 cities. Examples include Los Angeles prohibiting the use of bull-hooks by elephant trainers and handlers in 2014. Oakland, California also did such a ban on these devices. Then in 2015 Asheville, North Carolina nixed wild or exotic animals from performing in the municipally-owned U.S. Cellular Center. 

This writer acknowledges it is a changing time and that every organization needs to evolve. With that in mind, Ringling is evolving to the community and they will thrive. A circus does not exist for 145 years unless they change with the times and give the people what they come to see. Back in 1980 in Venice, Florida a 12 year old boy named David “Thrills” was captured in the magic of the circus and the elephant was a major part of that. Last year in Tampa a 5 year old boy named Tommy saw the elephants at the Ringling Circus and the magic stayed with him. Just this past Wednesday at the circus in Tampa, a 3 year old boy named Easton saw the elephant walk out during the pre-show and he HAD TO BE THERE. The magic stayed with him throughout the show. I hope those memories stay with those boys like it did with me. It is sad to see them go, but they will have a comfortable life and loving handlers in the 200 acre conservation center in Polk County.

David “Thrills”
The Thrill Freak @TampaAmazeMe

David “Thrills” is an avid enthusiast of thrill parks and entertainment activities in the Tampa Bay Area. All personal thoughts are his own opinion and not meant to be stated as fact. Be sure to follow me on twitter for live tweets or email me at tampathrillme@gmail.com for any questions or concerns. Ringling Logo is the courtesy of Feld Entertainment. Pictures are the property of  David “Thrills” and may be used giving David full credit. Picture banner of Jumbo is the property of Feld Entertainment.