dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

tramsey Loc: Texas

That's a shame. The article said declining tickets sales caused by the fact they had to retire the elephants and increasing operating costs. I can remember going to this circus when I was growing up. I can't remember which town it was in, we had to drive a ways. But I remember my Dad telling me it was the Greatest Show on Earth, the Ringling Brothers Circus. I remember how blown away I ways. This is really too bad.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

Hooray!!!!!

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Cirque du Soleil does pretty good business, and without any animals.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

A Sad day for us, not so sad for the animals. I do wish i had seen the Greatest Show On Earth before its demise.
I was able to take my girls to a tent circus in a small town in Mo. in the late 70s, Wasn't very much to see but they enjoyed it very much. The bad part was it was early Oct. and a bit cooler than normal. when we heard the owner of the elephants was looking for heaters to keep his Elephants warm some of the locals offered the use of their barns and some heaters for the night, all turned out well.
I do realize that Wild animals should be left in the wild, But in a way seeing them in a circus caused people to take interest in them and their plight in their native lands.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

oops,

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

the first time I saw their show was about 72 yrs. ago. loved feeding the elephants. their performers were great. the one thing I really miss was their chewy popcorn, onlyfound it again at sea world. changing times are robbing us of long held treasures.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

even as a kid.... I NEVER liked the circus.

Cykdelic Loc: Now outside of Chiraq & Santa Fe, NM

We went to the old Ampitheater see the B&B when I was very young....end of an era.

timbambam Loc: Manhattan, NY

The saddest thing about the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus closing is to hear them blame it on the elephants. Though it is probably true just not for the reason they claim.
The fact of the matter is the elephants did much more than perform, they were the backbone of the circus. They put up the tents,hauled carts and whatever else took alot a strength. The cost of using manpower is to much. What it should tell you is how much these great creature were used and abused.
When people first complained about the treatment of the elephants all the circus had to do was treat the elephant better. But the trainers insisted they needed to use torture devices to control the elephants. The animals are not intended to be hauled around in small cages for their entire lives.
The UniverSoul Circus has been around for about 20 yrs. No live wild animal tricks. Its all about the performers. If you havent had a chance to see the UniverSoul Circus its well worth the ticket.