P.T. Barnum helped create the modern circus in the 19th century by merging his traveling museum and menagerie with other shows to form "Barnum & Bailey Circus", featuring exotic animals. Over time, animal welfare groups criticized circuses like Ringling Brothers for allegedly mistreating elephants and other animals, claiming their training methods caused undue stress. Ringling Brothers denied the allegations and said they prioritized animal care, but they ultimately ended their elephant acts in 2016 after losing a legal battle over alleged mistreatment.

1. By: Hope Hudson, Christina Adamo, and Kaitlyn Reilly

2. Ancient History of the Circus
The earliest circus (Circus
Maximus) dates back to
the early Roman Empire
in 7 B.C.
Elephants have been
used in circuses since the
first recorded circus.
Other animals used
included: dolphins,
horses, oxen, sheep, and
tigers.

3. The Man Who Started It.
Phineas Taylor Barnum; born
1810, he was a well known
showman who was famous for
engaging hoaxes. He started
the “Barnum’s American
Museum” featuring exhibits
such has the “Fiji Mermaid”,
and Siamese Twins.
The museum burned down,
and he set up another
museum in another location
which also caught fire.

4. Creation of the Circus
After the destruction of Barnum’s Museum, P.T. paired
with William Cameron Coup and "P.T Barnum's Grand
Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan& Hippodrome“
was born and it was a traveling freak show.
In 1872 Barnum coined the phrase “The Greatest Show On
Earth”
In 1881 Barnum merged with competition James Bailey and
James L. Hutchinson. After some splits the Barnum &
Bailey Circus was created.

5. Barnum &Bailey Circus
At this time the main attraction was an
African Elephant named Jumbo
P.T. Barnum passed away in 1891 and
James Bailey bought the circus from
the widow, where he toured the US
and the moved to Europe. He returned
to the US to find The Ringling Brothers
had a huge reputation. In 1907 James
Bailey passes away, and the circus was
sold to The Ringling Brothers for
$400,000

6. The Ringling Brothers and Barnum
and Bailey Circus

7. Elephants in the Circus

8. This Past Week…
This was a photo taken when
Ringling was in Albany this
past week. The star you see on
the hind quarters of the
elephant is a brand. There is no
logical reason why this
elephant should have been
branded with a star.

9. Other animals

10. Public Danger
After the years of abuse elephants are forced to endure, they sometimes
snap and go on rampages. This is what happened in 1994 with Tyke. She
killed his trained, injured 12 spectators and in the end was gunned down by
police. He was shot close to 100 times.
In more than 35 instances since 2000 elephants have ran from circuses
through streets, injuring the public.
Also, most elephants in the circus carry tuberculosis which can be passed
to humans, and can be deadly to those with lowered immune systems.

11. Baby Barack
Baby Barack, was infected
with a deadly virus
(endotheliotropic
herpesvirus) that could have
been prevented.
He was less than a year old
when he was moved to the
Florida State Fairgrounds.
But after one month, after
performing in Orlando and
Jacksonville, he was taken
off the road because of this
virus. Stress is believed to be
a huge factor in the
development of this disease.
(2010)
In 2011 Barack was treated
for having EEHV again. There
is no cure for the disease and
it is usually fatal.

12. Ringling Fined Largest Penalty Circus
History
In November 2011 Feld entertainment, the parent
company of Ringling Brothers was fined $270,000 in
for violation of the AWA dating back to 2007. This was
the largest settlement of its kind.
In addition to receiving the largest penalty, Ringling
must now provide all employees who handle animals,
with training and they must hire a staff member
dedicated to AWA compliance.

13. Ringling Brothers and Barnum &
Bailey Circus speaks.
“How does Ringling Bros. feel about local legislation banning the use of animal acts in some towns?
A: We believe that these bans are unnecessary and take away a treasured part of the circus experience that
patrons tell us they support and love. (Fortunately, such communities are the exception, not the rule.) By
banning performing animals, the town is effectively saying that our experts are not fit to handle the animals
they have devoted their lives to caring for. We can't say it enough: Ringling Bros. loves animals as much as
you do!”
Q: What are the conditions where the animals live at each arena?
A: We pride ourselves on the level of care and the healthy environment we provide for all our animal
performers. In arenas where space permits, our animal facility is outdoors and in the full view of the public.
Each animal is groomed daily. The entire stable area, as well as individual animal stalls, is kept clean around
the clock. We often provide guided tours of our facility for animal experts and media.
Q: How are the animals trained to perform their routines?
A: Our animals are great performers, because their routines are tailored to each animal’s natural abilities and
individual preferences which we observe during their playtime. Reinforced through a system of reward and
repetition, these abilities and behaviors are linked together on cue which ultimately becomes the routine
that you see at a Ringling Bros. Circus.]

14. Ringling Responds to a PETA video
(July 28, 2009 - Vienna, VA) – Following the release last week of a deceptively edited video by the animal rights group
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey conducted veterinary examinations
of all our elephants on the Ringling Bros. ® Red Unit. This and the 60 other veterinary examinations over the past six months
found that the elephants are all in good health.
Ringling Bros. believes that the validity of the latest footage released by PETA, which may appear disturbing, remains
questionable and that PETA’s video allegations should have been disclosed immediately, not months later, if they were truly
concerned about the welfare of our elephants. Nevertheless, Ringling Bros. wants to assure the public that we take any
allegations concerning animal care very seriously, no matter the source. The company has initiated a review of elephant
handling on the Red Unit to maintain the high standard of respect for animals required by Ringling Bros., which goes beyond
meeting regulatory requirements. The company is addressing the matter and will take all necessary actions, including
redoubling its educational efforts, taking disciplinary actions, where appropriate, and possibly instituting additional systems
of internal monitoring.
In addition to being regularly examined by a team of veterinarians, the Red Unit just concluded two weeks of performances
in Anaheim, CA, where it was inspected by local animal control officials and was in compliance with animal welfare laws and
regulations. In the past six months, including the time period allegedly covered by PETA’s video, this circus unit has been
inspected by 12 different state, local and federal inspection authorities and was in compliance with animal welfare laws and
regulations.
“Ringling Bros. is committed to ensuring the absolute best for its animals and those who care for them, including correcting
any perception that may contradict our dedication to the care and management of the largest herd of Asian elephants in
the Western Hemisphere,” said Janice Aria, Director of Animal Stewardship and Training, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.
“By addressing this issue, we trust that our customers, our employees and our industry colleagues will continue to see
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey as a responsible animal steward and that we are committed to providing the very best of
care for all our animals.”

15. PETA PSAs

16. Other info
www.peta.org
http://www.ringlingbeatsanimals.com/default.asp
Kamahl- The elephant song
Mandy Miller- Nellie the Elephant