Huges news is out tonight and after 146 years of performing the Ringling Bros. Circus has made the decision to close down. Fox News shared the details about why they decided it was time to move on. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus told The Associated Press that the show will close forever in May. If you want a chance to see them before that, they will have 30 more shows. This will be your last chance to see this circus. Their last shows will be in May.
Why did they decide to close?
Kenneth Feld, chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment shared that not just one thing made them make this big decision.
It was a hard decision and they thought about it a lot before going through with it. They told the employees on Saturday night before revealing the news to the public.
Feld did share a few details. He says it is a lot harder now to do a circus and keep the tickets affordable. You have to also provide school for the performer's children who are out on the road with you, which can be difficult. Ringling has been targeted by activists for a while now that say forcing animals to perform is cruel and unnecessary.This also happens to be part of the reason that they have decided to close.
Back in May of 2016, they decided to take the elephants out of the show. They know that this was the right decision, but it is also something that has caused problems because a lot of people wanted to go to the circus so that they could see the elephants that are not there now.
Over the last ten years, their ticket sales have gone down, but losing the elephants made them go down even more.
What will happen to the animals?
Don't worry about the animals that are part of the Ringling Bros. Circus. It has been revealed that they will be going to suitable homes. They didn't share who, but you can assume some people involved with the circus might decide they want to keep them.
When it comes to the people who work for the circus, some will get jobs with other shows they own. They do own Monster Jam, Disney on Ice and Marvel Live. Others will be without a job now.
Are you shocked to hear the news that Ringling Bros. Circus has made the decision to close down? Do you plan to try and see them one more time? Sound off in the comments section below on your thoughts.
