Ringling Bros. works to save, protect elephants, other animals
Once again animal rights
extremists have voiced an opinion about Ringling Bros. animal care that is both factually inaccurate and does not take into consideration the practical needs of our elephants.
John Crisp’s recent opinion piece (“Retire the elephants now”) in The Vindicator of March 23 attempts to disparage the dedicated men and women who spend their lives caring for all of the animals at The Greatest Show On Earth, particularly the elephants.
At each and every Ringling Bros. performance, we showcase the special bond that exists between our human and animal performers. Someone like Mr. Crisp who does not actually care for or train animals is in no position to make claims about our animal care or training.
As to his desire to see our elephants “retired” before 2018, as we have stated on numerous occasions, there are decisions that need to be made and steps taken at our Center for Elephant Conservation to accommodate the 13 elephants who, by 2018, will no longer be a part of our touring circuses. Again, it’s easy to make uninformed claims about our animal care and conservation but your readers should take the time to learn for themselves which organization, Ringling Bros. or animal rights groups, is actually providing care for animals and working to save the endangered Asian elephant.
Stephen Payne, Vienna, Va.
Payne is vice president of corporate communiations for Feld Entertainment, parent of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. It will perform at Covelli Centre May 7-10.