Ringling Bros. circus ends controversial elephant act after 145 years

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will use elephants in its performances for the last time on Sunday.

The circus company has used elephants in its shows for the last 145 years but changed its policies after animals rights’ groups and others campaigned against the practice. Public opinion on the subject has also shifted over the years.

A Humane Society report called “The Truth Behind the Big Top” claimed elephants and other wild animals used in circus acts were “beaten, poked and shocked.”

But Feld Entertainment won more than $25 million in 2014 from the Humane Society and other animals rights groups when claims of mistreated elephants were not substantiated, according to the Associated Press.

Senior Elephant Handler Alex Petrov prepares an elephant for a performance at Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus’ “Circus Extreme” show at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S., April 29, 2016. Photo by Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Ringling Bros. Executive vice president Alana Feld said 11 animals will be transferred to its own 200-acre facility in Florida, the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation, after separate shows Sunday in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

The elephants performance in Rhode Island will be live streamed on the company’s Facebook page on Sunday night.

Elephants are led back to their tent following a performance at Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus’ “Circus Extreme” show at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S., April 29, 2016. Photo by Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Ronald B. Tobias, who wrote a book called “Behemoth: The History of the Elephant in America” told the Associated Press that much of American society would prefer to see elephants in natural settings rather than zoos and circuses.

“I think people will get a lot more satisfaction out of elephants living their real lives than to see them performing as clowns,” Tobias said. “It’s kind of a new age in our understanding and sympathy and empathy toward elephants.”

Elephants have been a part of some circus performances for more than two centuries, according to the AP, dating back to the early 18oos.

The Humane Society said more than a dozen circuses continue to use elephants in performances.

Editor’s note: This post has been updated to reflect the correct verdict in a lawsuit. Feld Entertainment won more than $25 million in 2014 from the Humane Society and other animals rights groups when claims of mistreated elephants were not substantiated, according to the Associated Press.