Elephant acts to be phased out by 2018 circuses

Within three years, the “Greatest Show On Earth” will be missing a few big performers.

Feld Entertainment, the parent company of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey announced Thursday, plans to remove all elephant acts from its traveling circuses.

Some activists for animals rights, such as Millsboro resident Helen Timmons, say it’s about time.

“I would like to see it end today, but it is a step in the right direction.” Says Timmons.

Company officials say the decision is based on an attempt to save the endangered species. In a statement, Feld Entertainment CEO Kenneth Feld, says, “No other institution has done or is doing more to save this species from extinction, and that is something of which I and my family are extremely proud.”

Timmons says she is also concerned about the other animal performers.

“In the wild, or by nature, they don’t do the tricks they do.” She says. “They don’t stand on their heads, they don’t carry people with their trucks..all of the things they’re forced to do, they would not normally do these things in the wild.”

47 ABC also spoke to Feld Entertainment early February about the use of animals for entertainment. That’s when Vice President of Corporate Communications Stephen Payne told us the company provides animal care, food, and water for the animals 24 hours day and seven days a week.

Payne also claimed its often the human performers who are at higher risk of injury.

“We do not put our animals in risky situations. Some of our other performers, particularly, some of our aerialists put themselves in risky situations every single day but that’s what they do.” Says Payne.

Company officials say  the circus will continue to feature other animals including tigers and horses. It’s something Timmons hopes will eventually change, too.

“Captivity is not…it’s not humane for any animal.” She says.

Currently, there are 13 Asian elephants still on the road performing.

The elephants will reportedly be relocated to the  Ringling Brothers’ Center For Elephant Conservation” in Florida by 2018.