Ringling's last 11 touring elephants retire to Central Florida

Former performers taken to facility in Polk County

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – The last 11 of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' touring elephants are officially retired and enjoyed a buffet brunch of carrots, apples, celery, loaves of bread and lots of hay to celebrate

 

Circus representative Stephen Payne said the touring elephants arrived Friday morning at the 200-acre Center for Elephant Conservation in Polk County, near Orlando, on Friday morning.

"It's a new beginning for our animal care team, our beautiful Asian elephants, and of course our company," Ryan Henning, the assistant animal superintendent and elephant handler with the circus said.

The elephants gave their final bow on Sunday. The Greatest Show on Earth came under fire by animal rights activists, prompting the circus to phase out the elephant act. Henning adds it was harder to travel around the country with their large performers.

"Different cities are implementing bans or restrictions," Henning said. "Basically different politicians are caving into political pressure from extremists and making it more difficult."

The elephants join 29 others that were already at the center.

"It's kind of our challenge now to come up with enrichment and stimulation to keep them as active and thriving as they were on the traveling shows," Janice Aria, the director of animal stewardship for the center said.

To celebrate their retirement, the pachyderms enjoyed a welcome home brunch of their favorite foods. Circus officials say they are adjusting well to the retired life.

"What are you going to do when you retire? Lounge, hang out, enjoy life, play, socialize. That's what our elephants are going to do now," Henning said.

The circus spends $6 million a year to take care of their elephants. The center says protecting the endangered species.

"The information that we learn here hopefully will take care of Asian elephants around the world and make sure they don't go extinct," Dr. Wendy Kiso, the director of conservation and research for the center said. "Being here all at once gives me the ability to study them better."

Scientists are also studying the elephants' blood to figure out why they have a smaller chance at developing cancer compared to humans.

"We want to use that to create a magic pill so to speak to find the cure for cancer," Kiso said.

The circus calls the elephants' retirement bittersweet. It marks the final curtain call on a 145-year-old act, leaving the elephants to enjoy this new stage of their lives.