The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is canceling its elephant act. The company announced today it will phase out the acts completely by 2018 amid growing public concern about the treatment of animals. Elephants have been part of the iconic circus' lineup for more than 100 years and are likely the first thing you think about if you went as a child.
All 43 elephants will live at the company's Center for Elephant Conservation in Florida. Twenty-nine of them are already at the center, and the remaining will follow over the next few years.
Baby Mike climbs dirt mound & plays in the hose at Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation #RinglingBros pic.twitter.com/XgnsHroCuU
— Ringling Bros. (@RinglingBros) March 3, 2015[via AP]
