Ringling Bros. to close its doors on the ‘greatest show on Earth’
The circus’ chief said declining ticket sales and its decision to get rid of its elephants after public backlash made it ‘an unsustainable business for the company.’
On Saturday, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus announced that its final performance would be on May 21, 2017.
Juliette Feld, the organization’s field entertainment’s chief operating officer, said in a statement:
This was a difficult business decision to make, but by ending the circus tours, we will be able to concentrate on the other lines of business within the Feld Entertainment portfolio,” “Now that we have made this decision, as a company, and as a family, we will strive to support our circus performers and crew in making the transition to new opportunities.
The organization’s chief executive, Kenneth Feld, said the closure was due to declining ticket sales and the move to rid the circus of its elephants following a shift in public opinion toward circus animals. The two “made the circus an unsustainable business for the company,” Feld said.
Animal rights activists claimed the move as a victory for their cause.
IT’S OVER! https://t.co/JL0j61VoP9
— Pamela Anderson (@pamfoundation) January 15, 2017
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