Circus elephants retiring after Providence shows
By Bianca Buono
@BBuonoABC6
The Greatest Show on Earth is headed to Providence next week and it will be the last time elephants are ever a part of the show.
For the first time in its 146-year history, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus is saying goodbye to its legendary elephants.
"Riding an elephant for me, it’s probably the best feeling I’ve ever had in my life,” said performer Ashley Vargas.
Like many circus-goers, Ashley Vargas fell in love with the elephants when her parents took her to her first show. Now, she’s part of the act and works closely with the animals; but when she and the circus head to Providence next week, she’ll be riding the elephants for the last time.
"It’s really not just about the circus it’s really American history,” said ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson.
The elephants were supposed to retire in 2018, but earlier this year, Feld Entertainment, the parent company of the circus, announced they’ll be phased out by May.
Several activist groups have criticized the company for its alleged mistreatment of the animals; but the ringmaster says the criticism has nothing to do with the early retirement.
"There’s nothing behind the decision. There was no pressure. I know there are organizations that are spinning it like they’re giving themselves credit for something but the reality of that is they’ve never been successful,” Lee Iverson said.
After next week’s shows in Providence, the 11 elephants on tour will retire in Florida and move into a conservation center where they will become the focus of conservation and cancer research.
"It’s a big beautiful preserve it’s 200 acres so it’s actually where we already house two-thirds of our elephants,” Vargas said.
There’s no question that the elephants are a fan favorite at the circus, but the ringmaster says the show will continue to hold the title as the greatest on earth.
"We received the same outpouring of concern when we moved the show from three rings to one. We’re always changing, we’re always doing something new,” Lee Iverson said.
The circus is set to arrive in Providence next Thursday at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
© WLNE-TV 2016
