For over a century, elephants were a staple of traveling circuses, most famously the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
But what was billed as the “Greatest Show On Earth” wasn’t very great for the animals kept in captivity.
For decades, the famous circus show came under fire from animal rights groups like ASPCA and PETA over their treatment of elephants, who argued that the use of these rare animals for entertainment was inhumane, and the elephants were subjected to poor conditions and mistreatment on the road.
Finally, in 2015, Ringling Bros. They ended the use of elephants in their shows, and moved ancient circus animals to an elephant sanctuary.
And this week, 12 former circus elephants have arrived at their new home – and they’re clearly happy to finally get off the road.
The elephants, who range in age from 8 to 38, have traveled with Ringling Bros before. & Barnum & Bailey, but will now spend their lives at the White Oak Conservation in Yuli, Florida.
Far from life in cages and tools, these elephants will be free to roam the reserve, which was built to closely mimic their natural environment.
“We are thrilled to give these elephants a place to roam and explore,” said Mark and Kimbra Walter, the philanthropists who funded the conservation.
“We are working to protect wild animals in their natural habitats. But for elephants that cannot be released, we are happy to provide them with a place they can live comfortably for the rest of their lives.”
Conservationist Michelle Gad, who oversees the project, was delighted to see the ancient elephants perform in her new home.
“A lot of kids dream of escaping and joining the circus,” she told CBS News. “Well, I was that kid who wanted to run away and let all the animals out of the circus.”
“They don’t need to trip, train, do tricks or travel the world. Just let them be where they are and there is nothing more beautiful than that.”
As part of a plan to phase out elephants from the circus, former Ringling Bros. elephants were transferred to the Florida Elephant Conservation Center, which their company sponsored.
But according to CBS, the nonprofit Walter Conservation bought the elephants last fall to move them to a larger sanctuary.
White Oak explained that to reach their new home, they were transported 200 miles in dedicated trucks, accompanied by veterinarians and animal care professionals.
وبمجرد وصولهم ، سرعان ما بدأوا في التواصل الاجتماعي.
قال نيك نيوبي ، رئيس فريق المحمية: “كانت مشاهدة الأفيال وهي تخرج إلى الموطن لحظة رائعة”.
