The Ringling Brothers Circus, announced on Thursday, that it won’t have elephant acts by 2018.
The Ringling Brothers Circus said that the decision to remove elephants from its performances was the result of concern over how the animals are being treated. Another factor behind the decision were changing regulations for elephant shows in different cities. Removing the elephants from its tours make it less of a hassle for the circus, reports The New York Times.
The Ringling Brothers Circus has access to 43 elephants and has a 200-acre Center for Elephant Conservation in Florida. 29 of the animals are already at the center in Florida. It said that 13 of its elephants will stay on tour with it before they retire in 2018. The circus still plans to use other animals in its shows, NYT notes.
“This decision was not easy, but it is in the best interest of our company, our elephants and our customers,” Kenneth Feld, CEO and chairman of Ringling Brothers Circus, told CNNMoney.
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