Ringmaster David Shipman pauses as a performing elephant prepares to enter the arena for Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus’ “Circus Extreme” show at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, PA, on April 30th, 2016. The curtain fell a final time for elephants performing at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus as the circus ended a practice that enthralled audiences for two centuries but became caught between animal rights activists’ concerns and Americans’ shifting views. |
