Photo: ReutersThe Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus said on Saturday it will cease performances after 146 years in business, owing to what it said were declining tickets sales and high operating costs. "After much evaluation and deliberation, my family and I have made the difficult business decision that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey will hold its final performances in May," Kenneth Feld, chairman and chief executive of Feld Entertainment, the Florida-based producer of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, said on the circus' website. In May of last year, the circus retired its elephant act, years after a suit by activists. The circus will end it long run with performances in Providence, Rhode Island, on May 7 this year and in Uniondale, New York, on May 21. Employees were told of the decision to close down following performances on Saturday in Florida.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 15, 2017 21:55 UTC