The Latest: Elephants give final Ringling Bros. performance

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Latest on elephants performing for the last time at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (all times local):

9:15 p.m.

Elephants have delivered their final performance for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson closed Sunday’s performance in Providence, Rhode Island, by calling the animals beloved members of the circus family and thanking them for more than 100 years of service.

He called them American icons and thanked them for so many years of joy.

Animal-rights activists have been calling for an end to elephant performances for years. The Humane Society says more than a dozen other circuses continue with elephant acts, but none tour as widely or are as well-known as Ringling Bros.

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7:00 p.m.

An elephant carrying a performer holding an American flag has kicked off the final elephant performance at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Sunday’s performance in Providence, Rhode Island, closes the circus’ chapter on a practice that has entertained audiences since circuses began in the U.S. two centuries ago but that has in recent years been challenged by animal rights activists.

Sunday’s show continued with six Asian elephants parading around the ring, each holding the tail of the one in front of her. The animals will retire to Ringling’s 200-acre Center for Elephant Conservation in Florida.

The Humane Society says more than a dozen other circuses continue with elephant acts, but none tour as widely or are as well-known as Ringling Bros.

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12 p.m.

Elephants will perform for the last time at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus on Sunday.

The move closes the circus’ chapter on a controversial practice that has entertained audiences since circuses began in America two centuries ago.

Six Asian elephants will deliver their final performances in Providence, Rhode Island, and five will perform in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, during several shows on Sunday.

The last Providence show will stream live on Facebook and at Ringling.com at 7:45 p.m.

The Humane Society says more than a dozen other circuses continue with elephant acts, but none tour as widely or are as well-known as Ringling Bros.

The animals will retire to Ringling’s 200-acre Center for Elephant Conservation in Florida.