Ringling Brothers and Barnun and Bailey Circus‘ traveling elephants from Asia will retire early and make their home at the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation® in Florida. Over the last few months, center staff members have been preparing the place for the new arrivals. There are currently other Ringling Brothers and Barnun and Bailey Circus elephants, bringing the count to 42.
It was announced that by 2018 all of the circus elephants will move to the conservatory, but the staff have been working to get all of the elephants to their new home before the announced date.
The Feld Entertainment, Inc, the parent company for Ringling Brothers, plans to focus on Asian elephant conservation and pediatric cancer research. The circus, Greatest Show on Earth will continue, without elephants in the performances, while the company focuses on other ventures.