Photo from the Center for Elephant Conservation website
Elephants have long been the signature act at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
But something isn’t sitting right with audiences about these sensitive, intelligent and majestic creatures performing tricks for… well, peanuts. The public has cried out over the use of bullhooks, which Richmond has considered banning.
We’ve heard it here at Richmondmom each time the circus comes into town, and Ringling Bros. is hearing it too. Feld announced on March 5th (right before Legends comes to Richmond) that by 2018, the 12 elephants still used in the circus will retire and join over 40 elephants at the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant for Conservation® in Florida. Ringling shows will still feature dogs, horses, camels, tigers and lions.
From the March 5 press release:
“This is the most significant change we have made since we founded the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation in 1995. When we did so, we knew we would play a critical role in saving the endangered Asian elephant for future generations, given how few Asian elephants are left in the wild,” said Kenneth Feld, Chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment. “Since then, we have had 26 elephant births. 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. This decision was not easy, but it is in the best interest of our company, our elephants and our customers,” he added.
The CEC is located on 200 acres of wilderness in central Florida, between Tampa and Orlando. Learn more about the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation here.
]]>What do you think? Has the use of elephants prevented you from taking your family to the circus?
Will consider the circus after the elephants have been retired?
http://www.ringling.com
Enter our contest by February 13, 2013 at noon to win 4-pack of tickets!
The circus is coming to town February 20-24, 2013 and Richmondmom.com is giving away family 4-packs of tickets. You could win just by entering our contest and this year’s show is sure to be a crowd pleaser. See below to enter our contest to possibly win a 4-pack of tickets – but enter no later than February 13, 2013 at noon to be eligible to win!
According to the Ringling Brothers website:
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey ® Presents Built To Amaze!℠ , the 143rd edition of the Greatest Show On Earth. Surprise and wonder delights audiences with over the top feats of strength, agility and courage. As the momentum builds so does the anticipation, anything can happen when Ringling Brothers presents Built To Amaze!
Circus performers from across the globe create the perfect blend of athleticism and bravery, where power meets fearlessness and amazement has no bounds. Magnificent elephants, ferocious tigers, astonishing acrobats and awe-inspiring aerialists are engineered into one spectacular performance.
Celebrate the tradition TODAY and experience it’s modern flare of twists and turns where excitement and suspense are so intense you’ll be tempted to cover your eyes. From the blueprints to the band, the crates to the clowns, the hammer to the high wire, witness the spectacle as we measure out the perfect mix of marvel and majesty in an imagination equation where the impossible comes to life. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Built To Amaze!
Enter To Win
Click here for a chance to win a family 4-pack of tickets. Be sure and enter no later than February 13, 2013 at noon. Tickets will be mailed to winners prior to the event.
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Ringling Brothers Ambassador of Laughter, Christopher the Clown, will visit the Children’s Museum of Richmond (CMoR) in Short Pump on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 9:30 am for a special story time event. Christopher is here to spread the word that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents DRAGONS is coming to the Richmond Coliseum 2/15-2/19/2012. In addition to the story time, he will visit with the children and have giveaway and coupons for the show.
Families can also meet “Christopher the Clown” at CBS 6’s Healthy Lifestyle Expo on Saturday, 2/4 from 11:30 am until 1:30 pm and at CMoR’s main location on Sunday 2/5 at 2 pm for the CBS 6 Funniest Kids Finals, open to the public, details available at WTVR.com.
Ringling Bros. Presents DRAGONS is a once in a millennium event that honors The Year of the Dragon. Circus performers from the farthest reaches of the earth have assembled for Ringling Bros. Presents DRAGONS to showcase their astounding acts of bravery and astonishing athleticism.
The anticipation builds throughout the show as Children Of All Ages bear witness to one phenomenal Ringling Bros. circus act after another, from Shaolin Kung Fu Warriors, charging Cossack riders, magnificent Asian elephants, fierce tigers to the frenzied Globe of Steel. As the audience observes these and even more real world displays that pay tribute to the dragon, their continued excitement will bring glimpses of the elusive beast. But, the big question remains; what will it take to lure a true dragon from its golden lair?
Ringling Bros. Presents DRAGONS opens an hour before show time with the All Access Pre-show available and FREE to all ticket holders. For more information, visit www.Ringling.com or visit us on Facebook.
]]>Enter our Richmondmom.com contest to win a family pack of tickets to the circus too! We are giving away five family packs so chances of winning are great.