The Ringling Bros. Circus is known as the greatest show on earth. However, the person who owns Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has decided to shut the show down for good. The show will officially come to an end in May.
There are various reasons why the Ringling Bros. show is ending. Executives have mentioned a combination of declining attendance and high operating costs as a few reasons. They also said the public's taste is changing and battles with animal rights groups have led to the decision.
Kenneth Feld, the CEO of Feld Entertainment, said there wasn't just one thing.
He described the decision as difficult to make. He said the decision was difficult for the entire family.
Time was Ringling Bros. Competition
Feld said that time was a competitor to the circus. He said transporting the circus via rail and other circus things, such as providing schooling for performers' children, were also throwbacks to another era that couldn't compete with modern fare. Feld added that it's a different model that they couldn't see how it works in today's world to justify, as well as maintain an affordable ticket price.
As for the circus' existing animals, such as their lions, llamas and donkeys, they will be given to suitable homes. Juliette Feld, COO of Feld Entertainment, said they will still operate the Center for Elephant Conservation.
In an attempt to help circus workers who will lose their jobs, some of them may be placed in the company's other profitable shows, including Marvel Live and Disney on Ice.
Feld Entertainment has owned the Ringling Bros. Circus for the last 50 years. However, the circus itself has been in operation for more than 100 years.
The Ringling Bros.
circus is closing down after more than 100 years in operation, according to a press release from Feld Entertainment, which has owned the circus for the last 50 years. Five of the seven Ringling brothers founded the circus back in 1884.
The transition of phasing out the use of elephants
The Ringling Bros. Circus was well-known for their elephants.
The animals were known for their dance routines, which were prominently featured in their shows. Eventually, the circus came under fire by animal rights groups and the circus decided to stop using elephants altogether.
The elephant conservation center is located in Florida. It sits on 200 acres of rural land. It was established in 1995 and the center is dedicated to the conservation and understanding of elephants.
