The Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus has been known for many things. It is always filled with death defying feats. There is always a tightrope or trapeze troupe that leaves us with our jaws hanging agape. There is always a beautiful artist riding the horses, camels, or just showing her love she has for her animals as they perform. There is always a Gunther and his family of tigers. Lastly, there was always the famous Asian elephants that has always personified what a circus is for the past 145 years.

Myself being from Sarasota, the home of John Ringling and the circus for many years, the Asian Elephants of the Ringling Circus had a special place in mine and other hearts of the area. My grandfather would tell me of the times when the elephants paraded down main street to open the circus season. I myself remember when the winter home was in Venice. The elephants were a staple of my memory in the good times I had before and during the circus with my grandparents at the Venice Winter home. I would always hope that my children or grandchildren can have that aweing inspiring experience when introduced to the Greatest Show on Earth.

Sadly, Feld Entertainment made an announcement earlier today that not only dampened my hopes for future generations of fans, but also a move that surely was a difficult decision for the Feld family to make themselves. The press release stated that the circus will no longer have elephants traveling with the circus by 2018. The elephants will be relocated to the Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation. Already a home to the largest herd of Asian Elephants in the Western Hemisphere and a very successful breeding program to help the endangered species survive.

“This is the most significant change we have made since we founded the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation in 1995. When we did so, we knew we would play a critical role in saving the endangered Asian elephant for future generations, given how few Asian elephants are left in the wild,” said Kenneth Feld, Chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment. “Since then, we have had 26 elephant births. No other institution has done or is doing more to save this species from extinction, and that is something of which I and my family are extremely proud. This decision was not easy, but it is in the best interest of our company, our elephants and our customers,”

Let it be known Ringling and Feld Entertainment are not going to just give up on the elephants. Their plan is to move forward strongly with the conservation efforts already established. The circus will just move in a newer directions with just as good of entertainment as we would expect of such an institution. It may have started with PT Barnum and “Jumbo.” and end with the 13 elephants currently traveling with the circus, but the legacy will always be remembered.

PETA has taken credit for this decision to come about within 2 hours of the announcement. In no way has an activist group encouraged this change to happen. “There’s been somewhat of a mood shift among our consumers,” said Alana Feld, the company’s executive vice president. “A lot of people aren’t comfortable with us touring with our elephants.”

I find this a very brave and commendable move by Feld Entertainment. I in no way ever believed an elephant has been abused by the Ringling Organization and would be first on the soapbox if I did believe it. Even though it is a sad future for big top entertainment. This decision shows all the naysayers that Feld Entertainment is much more than about making the profit. I applaud them and look forward to the evolution of the circus post elephants.

David “Thrills”
The Thrill Freak @TampaAmazeMe

David “Thrills” is an avid enthusiast of thrill parks and entertainment activities in the Tampa Area. Be sure to follow me on twitter for live tweets or email me at tampathrillme@gmail.com for any questions or concerns.