Ringling elephants perform last show, end 145-year run

 

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — When the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' performers spin, twirl, jump and sparkle in the colored spotlights, David Orr, 77, turns his attention elsewhere — to the mesmerized children who pack the stands, many waiting to see an elephant for the first time.Orr was once one of those children. He experienced his first Ringling circus in 1946 in Columbus, Ohio, where he picked up a habit he couldn't kick. In 70 years, he's missed just two seasons. "It's the way I kept sane," he said. "I would run away to the circus for a few days."  more....

Now he'll have to continue the circus streak without his beloved elephants. Ringling's final 11 performing elephants marched into arenas for the last time Sunday in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and Providence, R.I., ending a 145-year-old tradition of the giant pachyderms taking part in the big top.

Ringling bowed to pressure as state and local rules placed more restrictions on the circus' use of exotic animals and the bullhook trainers use to control the animals. The move followed decades of protests by animal rights activists.

Orr, of Sarasota, Fla., said he's seen how the animals are treated behind the scenes and strongly feels that they're well taken care of. "It's sad," he said, choking up when talking about the elephants' departure. "It hits me right here," he added, pointing to his heart.
Thunderous applause greeted Mable, April, Asia, Luna and Tonka as the elephants marched into the arena here in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., for the final time wearing their well-known red leather, gold studded headdresses emblazoned with "Greatest Show on Earth." They stood on their heads, turned in circles, balanced on a small stand and even took a nap, albeit a brief one — the crowd shouted "Wake up, elephants" only moments later.




Behind the scenes, trainers and performers who have spent years working with the elephants were also sentimental. Many spent time bidding farewell to the historic mainstay of the show. Several posed for photos with the elephants ahead of the final performance. Some stood and solemnly watched as the elephants marched onto trucks and rolled away from an arena one last time.