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Ringling Bros. elephants perform last show

Posted at 8:31 PM, May 01, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-01 22:31:54-04

By Faith Karimi

CNN

(CNN) — After years of giant tricks and synchronized dances, the elephants at Ringling Bros. performed their final act Sunday.

The elephants’ last show was in Providence, RI, the circus said, nearly two years before the pachyderms’ expected retirement.

Feld Entertainment, which owns Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, had said its touring elephants would head to a Florida conservation center by 2018.

It appears the animals are going to the facility a bit earlier.

Outcry from animal rights groups

The retirement marked the end of an an era for the elephants, which were a big part of the Ringling Bros.’ performances.

For years, the elephants and their dance routines featured prominently in the shows.

But several animal rights groups repeatedly criticized, picketed and sued Ringling Bros. for its treatment of the animals.

In 2011, Feld Entertainment agreed to pay a fine of $270,000 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for alleged violations of the Animal Welfare Act. The company did not admit wrongdoing but promised to implement new training for all personnel who handle animals.

Other animals

The elephants may be gone, but other animals will stay put.

Last year, Ringling Bros. said its shows “will continue to feature other extraordinary animal performers, including tigers, lions, horses, dogs and camels.”

When the initial retirement announcement was made, Ringling Bros. had 13 elephants traveling for its shows. When they are moved, 42 Asian elephants will call the conservation center home.

The Ringling Bros.’ elephant conservation center sits on 200 acres of land in rural Florida, halfway between Orlando and Sarasota.

The circus visits about 115 cities each year with a full cast of between 250 and 300 people.

CNN’s Devon Sayers and Gregory Wallace contributed to this report.