It's animal cruelty plain and simple
The times are a-changing.
AP is reporting:
Executives from Feld Entertainment, Ringling's parent company, said the decision to end the circus's century-old tradition of showcasing elephants was difficult and debated at length. Elephants have often been featured on Ringling's posters over the decades. The decision is being announced Thursday.
"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."
The growing
discomfort comes from years of pretty brutal reporting on the treatment of show animals, specifically circus animals,
and even more specifically, elephants.
The other part of RBBC's decision is that it is becoming difficult for them to work and travel, litigating through new state and local ordinances.
Another reason for the decision, company President Kenneth Feld said, was that certain cities and counties have passed "anti-circus" and "anti-elephant" ordinances. The company's three shows visit 115 cities throughout the year, and Feld said it's expensive to fight legislation in each jurisdiction. It's also difficult to plan tours amid constantly changing regulations, he said.
"All of the resources used to fight these things can be put towards the elephants," Feld said during an interview at the Center for Elephant Conservation. "We're not reacting to our critics; we're creating the greatest resource for the preservation of the Asian elephant."
This is a long time coming. I grew up with the circus as a child, but just because I loved that experience does not mean it should continue on. If these animals can only be handled cruelly then they shouldn't be handled at all. The good news is that Feld is the largest owner of Asian elephants in all of North America. His new plans for these elephants seem considerably more positive for everyone involved.
Kenneth Feld said initially the center will be open only to researchers, scientists and others studying the Asian elephant.
Eventually, he "hopes it expands to something the public will be able to see."
"I want everybody's grandkids to be able to see Asian elephants," he said.
Unfortunately, Feld's been growing monster truck properties and motorcycle theater like
Nuclear Cowboyz. It's popular. You may have to take your kid some day.
Some footage of Ringling's treatment of their elephants, below the fold. WARNING: It's disturbing video.