The Ringlng Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus announced it will phase out elephants from its shows by 2018. The Associated Press reports that “growing public concern about how the animals are treated led to the decision.” Plus, several cities and countries have passed “anti-circus” and “anti-elephant” ordinance. Alana Feld, the circus company’s executive vice president, says: “A lot of people aren’t comfortable with us touring with our elephants.”
Feld Entertainment, which owns Ringling Bros., owns 43 elephants. 13 of the giant animals will continue to tour with the circus before retiring in 2018. Feld’s oldest elephant is Mysore, who is 69.
