The circus has arrived in Las Vegas but this year things might be different. Ringling Bros. is waiting a decision by a federal judge as to whether endangered elephants can be used in their circus. All of the circus elephants have foot problems from standing on concrete and from being forced to do tricks that are unnatural for the animal. – Las Vegas Now

An article against the use of elephants and other animals in the Ringling Bros. circus. – The Examiner

Representative Urban has been trying to push a bill through since 2005 that would require the humane treatment of elephants. This would impact the elephants that perform for the Ringling Bros. circus.

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Fairfield County Weekly

This morning was the 139th annual elephant walk in New York City. The Ringling’s Bros. circus has the elephants walk from the rail yard in Queens to Madison Sq. Garden.

NY Daily News

Here is some additional information about the closing arguments in the Ringling Brothers Circus elephant abuse case.

ABC News

The Ringling Bros. elephant abuse trial is coming to an end. There was no jury in this case so the judge will make the sole decision, which will be available this summer. It’s only March so I don’t know why it will take so long for their to be a verdict.

CNN.com

A letter to the editor of The Free-Lance Star that discusses why elephants don’t belong in the circus.

The Free Lance-Star

Information about the beginning of the elephant abuse trial against Ringling Brothers.

The Gazette

A Russian circus trainer is trying to keep two elephants that he is worked with for two years. The Russian Circus, however, is insisting on $100,000. If the trainer can not make the payment the elephants will be put up for auction. In the meantime the elephants are living in deplorable conditions.

RT

I don’t know much about the Belfast Zoo but I don’t think a zoo is the best place for an elephant to retire. Granted, it is a much better life than the circus and the elephants will have company.

BBC NEWS

While I understand why these people would want to release the elephant from the circus, I have to wonder what exactly they would have done with the elephant had they been successful. Stuff.co.nz

“Tina is being joined by other non-breeding female elephants to enjoy ‘retirement’ and the Zoo has confirmed that some of the elephants arriving in Belfast will be from a ‘circus background’.” – Northern Ireland News

“A jumbo-sized dispute has broken out over the living conditions of New Zealand’s only circus elephant.” – Stuff.co.nz

“According to the websites of the PETA and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), while many circuses are quick to advertise good old-fashioned family fun, the fine print tells a different story: the needless suffering of animals.” – Tails Of The City

“After more than eight years of legal wrangling, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and its parent company, Feld Entertainment, will finally stand trial to face charges that the circus abuses its Asian elephants in violation of the federal Endangered Species Act.” – TicketNews

“Thing is, Ringling Bros., unlike Cirque, has animals: Frisbee-catching dogs (with dog-catching women), llamas, tigers and elephants. An actual porcupine makes a cameo appearance to burst Tom the Clown’s balloon. And animals really appeal to the kids.” – cleveland.com

“A consortium of animal-rights and environmental groups are suing Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey in U.S. District Court, alleging that the circus illegally abuses animals protected under the endangered species act.” –

“People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the world’s largest animal rights organization, on Monday asked the city council to ban the use of training devices that inflict pain on elephants.” – Oregonlive.com