Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in United States

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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

Type	circus
Founded	1919
First elephant arrived	1919
Last elephant left	2017
Closed down	2017
Place	Venice
State	Florida
Country	United States
Website	Website
Related persons
Owner	1919-1926: Charles Ringling 1919-1936: John Ringling 1926-1953: Edith Ringling 1936-1967: John Ringling North 1943-1947: Robert Ringling 1967-1971: Irvin Feld 1982-1984: Irvin Feld 1984-now: Kenneth Feld


Directors	2001-2017: Nicole Feld 1963-1965: Henry Ringling North 1956-1963: Arthur Concello


Assistant Directors	2009-2017: Alana Feld 2009-2017: Bonnie Turen Feld 2009-2017: Juliette Feld -1983: Antoinette Concello 1939-1959: Ida Ringling North 1946-1958: Adele Feld 1926-1953: Hester Ringling 1858-1921: Harry Whitestone North


Manager	1965-1980: Trolle Rhodin Sr. 1948-1956: Arthur Concello 1942-1943: Arthur Concello

Performers & Artists
: Douglas Ashton -: Richard Durant -: Mable Ringling -: Karen Feld -: Eugene Nock Sr. -: Aurelia Canestrelli Nock -: Jackie Bostock -: Jack Bostock -: Jenny Wallenda -: Patty Maloney -1973: Renata Donnert 1919-1942: Katie Sandwina 1925-1988: Lou Jacobs 1928-: Karl Wallenda 1928-: Helen Wallenda 1928-: Martha Schepp 1934-1934: Pete Cristiani 1939: Hubert Castle 1939-: Carla Wallenda 1956: Oreste Canestrelli 1956: Pietro Canestrelli 1956: Giuseppe Canestrelli 1956: Aurelia Canestrelli Nock 1957-1969: Donna Gautier 1965-1973: Laszlo Donnert


Key People	1941-1941: Erich Hagenbeck (zoo designer)
Zoological department

Directors	1919-1925: John Patterson (menagerie superintendent)


Head Veterinarian	: Danielle Graham 1941: J. Y. Henderson
Animal trainers
1981-1988: Daniel Suskov 1964-1968: Charly Baumann 1949-: Walter Klauser 1949-: Maria Klauser 1949: Herta Klauser Cuneo 1947: Edith Gautier 1947: Lulu Gautier 1940-1945: Arthur Konyot 1940-1945: Dorita Konyot 1940-1943: Fritz Schulz 1939-1946: Alfred Court 1938-1943: Pete Cristiani 1938-1940: Terrell Jacobs 1938-1938: Frank Buck 1937-: Maria Rasputin 1932-1958: Jules Loyal 1932-1958: Giuseppina Travaglia 1932-1958: Giustino Loyal 1932-1958: Alfonso Loyal 1932-1958: Zefta Loyal-Perez 1932-1958: Stella Loyal 1932-1958: Justino Loyal 1932-1958: Ermide Loyal 1930-1938: Mabel Stark 1922-1925: Mabel Stark -: Nussi Brumbach -: Hans Niklaus -: Ulla Niklaus -: Ingeborg Niklaus -: Cindy Wells -: Julie Herriot -: Timi Loyal : Joyce Vidbel : Al Vidbel : Theodor Schroder : James Cole

Equestrians
1965-1968: Ingeborg Rhodin 1954-1957: Nadia Houcke


Apprentice keeper	1920-1920: Bill Woodcock

Elephant department

Elephant Superintendent	1955: Smokey Jones 1950-1954: Arky Scott 1947-1950: Hugo Schmitt 1945-1947: Richard Shipley 1943-1944: Eddie Allen 1939-1942: Walter McClain 1935-1936: Edward Doherty 1933-1938: Bill Emery -2017: Joe Frisco II


Elephant Trainer	1955-1956: Baptiste Schreiber 1954-1955: Hugo Schmitt 1950-1950: Baptiste Schreiber 1936-1939: Mac Macdonald 1932-1934: Edward Doherty 1928-1930: Epi Vidane -: Richard Durant -: Mark Acton -: Edgar Bentley -: Claude Madison : Roman Schmitt : Joe Orth : George "Slim" Lewis

Head keepers of elephants
1913-1933: George Denman

Elephant keepers
1950-: Hugh Schmitt 1950-: Manfred Schmitt 1947: Lulu Gautier 1941-1945: Richard Shipley 1932-1933: Mac Macdonald -: Adam Seidon -: Andrew Mazzini -: Antone Lima -: Arlington Whitaker -: Arnie Honkola -: Arthur Kestermont -: Benny White -: Charles Bosley -: Charles Cooper -: Charles Zempel -: Danny Dewey -: Donald Richards -: Edmond Mros -: Edmond Mros -: Edward Larsen -: Elmer Shader -: Elmo Dallas -: Emmet Spalding -: Ervin Arnold -: Eugene Grogan -: Eugene Stacey -: Francis Fizell -: Frank Attardi -: Frank Healy -: Fred Lykes -: Fred Wells -: Gabe Tucker -: Gabriel Costello -: Gabriel Tucker -: George Champagne -: Glen Shears -: Harold Inman -: Harvey Spillman -: Henry Fisher -: Jack O’Brien -: James Allen -: John Faltisco -: John Kotora -: John O'Neil -: John Schantz -: Karl Rasquin -: Lawrence Wilcox -: Leo Harsh -: Lewis Cummins -: Lloyd Lunsford -: Melvin Thomas -: Michael Jernigan -: Otto Kohlman -: Patrick Ryan -: Paul Perry -: Paul Zasada -: Pete Gibbons -: Philip Cosker -: Roger MacDonald -: Vernon Duffy -: W. Lubel -: Warren MacGillivrey -: Warren Vayett -: William Lewis -1969: Axel Gautier -1936: Lee Roberti : Eddie Schmitt

Record history
History of updates	2025-04-01: direction, staff 2025-04-13: doc code corrected 2025-04-29: Eddie Allen ele. supt

Latest document update	2025-04-29 16:41:01

Description

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, in Venice, Florida, United States , was founded in 1919 and the first elephant arrived in 1919. The last elephant left in 2017. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus closed down in 2017.

Casualties

2 casualties

1936-10-08: elephant keeper Lee Roberti fatal attack by Ringling Trilby. elephant startled when Roberti approached her to put a collar over her head, grabbed him with her trunk, threw him against the wall of the elephant car, and when he fell to the floor, placed her foot on his head. † Lee Roberti Died 1936-10-08, Beaumont.
1950-03-26: visitor Edwin Schooley fatal attack by Dolly. While in Sarasota the winter of 1949-50 while people were visiting the elephant area, a small child wandered under the guard rail and startled "Dolly" who was dozing, she then kicked out fatally injuring the child. † Edwin Schooley Died 1950-03-26, RBBB winter quarters, Sarasota. As the result of public outcry, she was shot 3/29/50 and for Unknown reasons "Minnie" was sold to the Mills Show in the fall.

Specified info for Ringling locationsRingling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1919-2017, shortened RBBB, or Ringlings today, was a 1919 merge between Ringling Brothers Circus (1884 - 1918) and Barnum & Bailey Circus (1888 - 1918). Elephants owned, residing and performing with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus can be found at several different locations, which have been divided up for clarification of record keeping and to give a better idea of herd identifications. They include:

Comments / pictures

Records about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from William "Buckles" Woodcocks Blog at http://www.bucklesw.blogspot.com/
At the close of the 1918 season, due the loss of both Al and Otto Ringling, as well World War I railroad restrictions, the surviving brothers decided to unite Ringling Bros. Worlds Greatest Shows and Barnum & Bailey\'s Greatest Show on Earth.
The Baraboo, Wis. facility was closed and this was the combined elephant Herd in Bridgeport with the new Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows.

William "Buckles" Woodcock

23 Ringling Bros elephants in 1918
George Denman listed Clara,Judy, Juno, Bessie, John, Dutch (Duchess), Hattie (Haddie), Sammy, Modoc, Queen, Jennie (died 1918), Mary, Baby, Hazel, Pinto, Clyde, Nelly, Trilby, Rio, Wilhelmina, Romeo, Venta and Columbia. (Source: The Ringling elephants 1888-1968, by Chang Reynolds, Bandwagon)

18 Barnum and Bailey elephants in November 1918
The Barnum and Bailey Herd at November 1918 contained: Katie, Albert, Bessie, Coco, Lizzie, Fannie, Nellie, Baby, Jennie, Topsy, Jap, Mighty, Queenie, Mary, Juno, Hattie, Pilot and Jess. (Source: The Ringling elephants 1888-1968, by Chang Reynolds, Bandwagon)

1918: "When the 1918 season ended and the decision was made to combine the shows in the Bridgeport, CT. winter quarters, the Ringlings brought 23 elephants with them. Those 23 are reflected in my list I sent you. Barnum & Bailey already had 18 of their own. Barnum & Bailey had Pilate (male Asian died on October 27, 1918 in winterquarters. Ringling lost Mary on March 19, 1919 and the shows sold Baby to the Rockford, Ill. Zoo or Park bringing us the 38 elephants that became the 1919 RBBB Herd. " //Bob Cline

John Patterson was Menagerie Supt. from (1907 Barnum & Baileys) merge through 1925. George Denman was elephant man at Ringling for 26 seasons, having been in the elephant Dept. with Barnum & Bailey when that show was purchased by the Ringlings. He retired during the 1933 season (died in 1937) and was replaced by another old timer Bill Emory, wo also was in charge. //Buckles Woodcock

1919: March 29, "Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows" debuted at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The posters declared, "The Ringling Bros. Worlds Greatest Shows and the Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth are now combined into one record-breaking giant of all exhibitions."
1919-11: Charlie was added.
1920: 45 elephants. (New York clipper)

Records about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from William "Buckles" Woodcocks Blog at http://www.bucklesw.blogspot.com/
Ringling Bros. and <a href='location2.php?location_id=465' title='Barnum & Bailey Circus'>Barnum & Bailey Circus</a>
in United States United+States

Ringling Bros. and <a href='location2.php?location_id=465' title='Barnum & Bailey Circus'>Barnum & Bailey Circus</a>
in United States United+States

These are the combined Ringling and Barnum elephant herds at the shows quarters in Bridgeport about 1920 showing the 36 elephants taken on tour. Denman can be seen standing between rows two and three with hands on hips. It appears that they marched the Herd through the neighborhood on the days the weather permitted.
"George Denman #4," Buckles Web Log, 2008-04-11

RBBB Elephants Parade Down Fifth Avenue, New York, 1921. The circus was a resounding success through the "Roaring 20s", making John Ringling one of the richest men in the world.//Buckles Woodcock

1921: Four elephants exported back to Hagenbecks in Germany from USA: Jess, Barnum Queen, Veneda, and Mary.
1922-09: Palm was added
1922-11-05: new elephants: Marcella, Emma, Alice, Bingo, Mary and Joe.
1923-11-10: new elephants: Blanche, Joyce, Mabel, Rose, Eva, Minnie, Dolly, May and Briggs.
1924: 44 elephants. 36 went on tour: John, Dutch, Ryo, Judy, Hazel, Romeo, Topsy, Alice, Juno, Joe, Babe, Mabel, Lizzie, Queen, Bessie, Nelly, Fanny, Jenny, Emma, Katie, Mary, Wilhelmina, Joyce, Barnum Nellie, Palm, Modoc, Clara, Hattie, Sammy, Marcella, Pinto, Bingo, Trilby, Blanche, Albert, Rose. Remaining 8 at Bridgeport: Barnum Bessie, Coco, Eva, Minnie, Dolly, May, Briggs and Charlie.
1924: Nelle sold to Houston Zoo.
1926: Charles Ringling died.
1927: The white elephant Pawah arrived from London Zoo, where he was returned the same year.

Pawa was the last white elephant exhibited in America. John Ringling leased him for exhibition on the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey show during the 1927 season from his owner, Dr. Saw D. Po Min. Dr. Po Min escorted the elephant along with half a dozen Burmese attendants. Pawah was a genuine albino, and the best appearing white elephant of all those that had toured with circuses, starting with the first in 1884. "He was always exhibited with a very dark elephant to profit by the contrast. Pawah and his master both died, it is understood, after their return to their native land the following year.
-C. G. Sturtevant, Elephants of the Circus, White Tops magazine, 1931

1929: Ringling Brothers purchased American Circus Corporation (which consisted of Sells-Floto Circus, Al G. Barnes, Sparks Circus, Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, and John Robinson Circus). When John Ringling purchased the American Circus Corporation in 1929 the five circuses included 57 elephants ranging from 13 with Hagenbeck-Wallace to 9 with Sparks.
1929: Ringling is owner of 90 elephants, among them 10 Asian bulls, a world record.
1930: 2 elephants sold before tour, Eva to Erie Zoo, Sammy to Detroit Zoo (euthanized there in 1938).

Records about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from Bob Cline

Certainly the Ringling elephants are as much confusion as you'll ever run up against. Remember by time John Ringling bought the American Circus Corporation in 1930, he owned about 90 elephants, roughly speaking about 1/3 of the elephants in America. This will be the elephants that were on the Ringling show prior to 1919 when the combined with the Barnum & Bailey show. They leased some for the John Robinson tour, the rented some to the Gollmars, they owned the Adam Forepaugh Sells Bros and the Barnum & Bailey shows along with two live births, buying selling and a few executions. This list is only for the elephants that travelled on Ringling prior to 1919.
Bob Cline, Cheraw, South Carolina, United States. Autor of the book Americas elephants

1933: Ringling tours with 40 elephants (8 came from Sparks Circus) to Chicago: 1. Alice, 2. Sparks Alice, 3. Babe, 4. Sparks Babe, 5. Bingo, 6. Blanche, 7. Bonnie, 8. Clara, 9. Dolly, 10. Duchess, 11. Eva, 12. Emma, 13. Fannie, 14. Hattie, 15. Hazel, 16. Jess, 17. Jenny, 18. Joe, 19. Joyce, 20. Juno, 21. Katie, 22.Lizzie, 23. Mable, 24. Marchella, 25. Mary, 26. Sparks Mary, 27. Minnie, 28. Little Modoc, 29. Modoc, 30. Sparks Myrtle, 31. Nellie, 32. Palm, 33. Pinto, 34. Barnum show Queen, 35. Rosie, 36. Little Tillie (Sparks Queen), 37. Topsy, 38. Little Trilby, 39. Wilhelmina, 40. Yasso.

1938: Due to labor trouble, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus tour closed in Scranton, Pa. on June 22, and the circus returned to winter quarters at Sarasota, Florida. Many of the outstanding features, and a trainload of physical equipment, were sent from Sarasota to augment the Ringling-owned Al G. Barnes-Sells Floto Circus at Redfield, S. D. From Redfield until the close of the 1938 seasonCircus Historical Society, Al G. Barnes & Sells-Floto Routes, courtesy of John Polacsek and Bob Cline

1938: The RBBB elephant Herd was added with 17 elephants from Al G. Barnes-Sells Floto Circus: Trilby, Tony, Kas, Jewel, Frieda, Lois, Modoc, Mary, Dolly, Floto Jennie, Josky, Ruth, Babe, Barnes Jennie, Palm, Topsy and Minnie.

Records about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from Bob Cline

1938 was also the year when Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus closed, and the elephants were shipped to Al. G. Barnes winter quarters in Baldwin Park, California.
1940: Joe was executed.

Records about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from Bob Cline

1941 elephant Herd, word document 2012 from Robert Cline:
1. Alice 2. Babe ( Sells ) 3. Babe ( Barnes ) 4. Babe ( Wallace ) 5. Blanche 6. Clara 7. Dolly 8. Emma 9. Eva ( Ringling ) 10. Eva ( Wallace ) 11. Jennie ( Barnes ) 12. Jennie ( Floto ) 13. Jennie ( Ringling ) 14. Jennie ( Wallace ) 15. Jewel ( Barnes ) 16. Jewel ( Little ) 17. Josky 18. Judy 19. Katie ( Barnum ) 20. Kas 21. Liz 22. Lizzie 23. Lois 24. Mabel 25. Marcella 26. Mary 27. Mary ( Sparks ) 28. Minnie 29. Modoc ( Big ) 30. Modoc ( Little ) 31. Myrtle 32. Nellie 33. Palm 34. Palm 35. Pearl 36. Peggy 37. Pinto ( Ringling ) 38. Pourgouis/Puqua 39. Rosy ( Ringling ) 40. Ruth ( Big ) 41. Ruth ( Little ) 42. Sudan 43. Tillie ( Big ) 44. Tillie ( Little ) 45. Tony 46. Topsy 47. Trilby ( Barnes ) 48. Trilby ( Wallace ) 49. Troby ( One Eyed )
Bob Cline, Cheraw, South Carolina, United States. Autor of the book Americas elephants

11 elephants dead of poison in Atlanta, Georgia
1941-11-05: Alice, Wallace Liz (Lizzie),
Pourgouis/Puqua, Mary and Blanche died.
1941-11-06: Tillie and Mabel died.
1941-11-07: Lizzie died.
1941-11-08: Clara died.
1941-11-09: Palm died.
1941-11-14: Peggy recovered from the poisoning, and was sent back to the show, but died in Pneumonia.

1941-11-05: After completing their work that morning the elephants were taken to a long, sloping embankment near the lot where they enjoyed the cool autumn weather. According to elephant superintendent Walter McClain, about noon one of the handlers told him that 41-year-old Lizzie seemed to be sick. “By the time I got to her she was done and gasping for breath. I sent for a local veterinarian, but before he arrived she was dead.”

Over the next five days 10 elephants died in Atlanta, with another dying in Augusta a few days later. An autopsy showed they had all died of arsenic poisoning.

Meanwhile McClain reported that in 1937 eleven elephants had been accidentally poisoned in when grazing on grass near a chemical plant in Charlotte, North Carolina, the town that the show had played two days before Atlanta.
The Mystery of the Poisoned Elephants by Chris Berry

1942-08-04: Of the heard of 45 elephants, four elephants died in the 1942 Cleveland Menagerie fire. Ringling Rosy, One Eyed Troby, Kas, and Wallace Rosie.

Records about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from William "Buckles" Woodcocks Blog at http://www.bucklesw.blogspot.com/
Eddie Allen gets credit for putting the well remembered "Changing Of The Guard" elephant number together on the Ringling Show in 1943.

William "Buckles" Woodcock

Records about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from English Wikipedia

1944The Hartford circus fire, which occurred on July 6, 1944, in Hartford, Connecticut, was one of the worst fire disasters in United States history. The fire occurred during an afternoon performance of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus that was attended by 6,000 to 8,000 people. The fire killed 167 people and more than 700 were injured.

English Wikipedia

RBBB in Boston Gardens, 1945. The Herd was 22 elephants.

1947: Ringling bought 5 elephants from Circus Hagenbeck, and hired Hugo Schmitt as elephant trainer, who stayed on Ringling until 1971.

These are the 5 German elephants brought over by Hugo Schmitt the previous year, "Icky". "Sabu", "Mudu", "Minyak" and "Kernaudi".
The African "Emily" was also added to the Herd in 1947 on June 26 at New Brunswick, NJ, six days after Hugo and his elephants had arrived in Pittsburgh from Sweden.

William "Buckles" Woodcock

1948: The Ringling Circus has a reported 49 elephants (Billboard 27 mar 1948). Katie died.
Chang Reynolds names 36 elephants on RBBB for 1948.

Referring to my handy, dandy notebook I came up with this list for the 1955 Ringling elephant Herd. The number in the show was "Mamas in the Park" which I have shown numerous pictures of on the Blog (little elephants in baby carriages). Elephants are listed in order of their seniority with the show. #22-28 are the seven punks added in 1953 "The Seven Wonders" and #29-48 are the twenty trained the previous winter by Louis Reed and Smokey Jones. Hugo Schmitt only presented the finished product in the ring since he had returned to the show with the understanding that he wouldnt have to be involved with overall operation.
Baptiste Schreiber arrived with elephants #49-50-51 arrived just prior to departure from Sarasota, bringing the Herd to 51. The final elephant, "Louie" an African (name later changed to Diamond) was delivered to the show while playing Detroit in July. I might add that three more older elephants were left in Sarasota, "Ringling Jennie", "Eva" and "Wallace Jewel" making a grand total of 55.
1955 Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows Robt. "Smokey" Jones Ele. Supt. Hugo Schmitt Trainer Baptiste Schreiber
1. Marcella 2. B Modoc 3. Myrtle 4. W Trilby 5. B Ruth 6. B Babe 7. Jewel 8. Lois 9. Tony 10. Josky 11. S Mary 12. W Babe 13. W Ruth 14. Judy 15. Topsy 16. Kernaudi 17. Minyak 18. Mutu 19. Sabu 20. Icky 21. Emily** 22. Tex 23. Padmuh 24. Tara 25. Yamina 26. Rani 27. Seetna 28. Raji 29. Siam 30. India 31. Calcutta 32. Mysore 33. Cutie 34. Trixie 35. Luna 36. Lucy 37. Henry 28. Betty 29. Cass 30. Mo 41. L Mary 42. L Eva 43. Pinky 44. Suzanne 45. Fannie 46. Jean 47. Adele 48. L Rajee 49. Lizie 50. Blondie 51. Bambi 52. Louie**
"To Henry Penndorf", Buckles Web Log, 2007-06-07

RBBB elephants march across the bridge spanning the Kanawha River at Charleston, W. Va. in 1954. Eugene Scott superintendent of the elephant department of the Greatest Show on Earth, paces the lead trio on horseback. That\'s Benny White riding the lead elephant.

William "Buckles" Woodcock

Ringling Bros. circus visits a small Canadian town in July 10, 1955

Ringling Bros. and <a href='location2.php?location_id=465' title='Barnum & Bailey Circus'>Barnum & Bailey Circus</a>
in United States United+States

1955: In 1955 the Ringling-Barnum Herd consisted of 52 elephants traveling with the show and three at Sarasota winter quarters - an astounding Group of 55 elephants. The magnitude of this army of elephants was captured by New York Times photographer Patrick Burns as they walked down Second Avenue March 27, 1955 enroute from the Mott Haven railroad yards in the Bronx to Madison Square Garden at Eighth Ave and 49th St (Chris Berry, 2021)

Records about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from William "Buckles" Woodcocks Blog at http://www.bucklesw.blogspot.com/
"Circus left Sarasota with 51 and the small African "Louie" (later "Diamond") had been delivered in Detroit, making the Herd 52 elephants. While there I noticed them building a pit show type truck that would take two punks ahead of the show reducing the Herd to an even 50. As fate would have it, in St. Petersburg while the show was playing it\'s final week, "Big Jewel" was struck by a car while the Herd was marching to the train at night and died the following day in Tampa. So the show only returned to Sarasota with 49".//Buckles Woodcock

William "Buckles" Woodcock

1958: 20 or 21 elephants sold:

Ringling Bros. and <a href='location2.php?location_id=465' title='Barnum & Bailey Circus'>Barnum & Bailey Circus</a>
in United States United+States

Records about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from Bob Cline

I've accounted for all 20 elephants they sold in 1958 and this Miami Rare Bird sale would make 21 elephants. I have no clue at all on this one.
Bob Cline, Cheraw, South Carolina, United States. Autor of the book Americas elephants

Records about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from William "Buckles" Woodcocks Blog at http://www.bucklesw.blogspot.com/
1963: Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus European Tour: John Ringling North framed an indoor circus to tour Europe, bought an elephant act from the Chipperfields and hired two more acts in Europe to fill out the three rings.

William "Buckles" Woodcock

1967: John Ringling North sold the circus to Irvin Feld.
1968: Together with 5 elephants bought from Chipperfield Circus for the European tour, came 13 elephants with Circus Wiilliams, those 18 elephants famed the new developed Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus Red Unit (1969 - present). The original elephants were labelled as Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus Blue Unit (1969 - present)
1972: Hugo Schmitt brought 19 elephants from UK, 12 of which had performed with the Billy Smart Circus and 7 were untrained.
1980-81: six elephants arrived from Burma with a star branded on their hip (Bonnie, Nicole, Alana and Icky who went to Axel Gautier, Siam and Bangkok who went to Gunther Gebel-Williams) . Babe\'s is a star outline on both her hips. She measures almost ten Feet tall.
Six female Asian elephants arrived to RBBB from Burma, via German animal dealer Firma Ruhe: Blue unit: 1.Alana, 2.Bonnie, 3.Icky II, 4.Nicole, Red unit: 1.Bangkok and 2.Siam II.

1995: the circus opened the Center for Elephant Conservation in Florida for the breeding, Research, and retirement of its Asian Elephant Herd.

2017-05-21: The final performance of Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus from May 21, 2017 at Nassau Coliseum.

Ringling Bros. and <a href='location2.php?location_id=465' title='Barnum & Bailey Circus'>Barnum & Bailey Circus</a>
in United States United+States

2021: Relaunching of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Feld Entertainment is casting for a new version of the Greatest Show on Earth, as it plans an animal-free relaunch of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 2023.

References for records about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

Recommended Citation

Koehl, Dan (2025). Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Elephant Encyclopedia. Available online at https://www.elephant.se/location2.php?location_id=455. (archived at the Wayback machine)

Sources used for this article is among others:

The Ringling Elephants 1888-1967, Bandwagon
Page 51, Elefanten in Zoo und Circus, Dokumentation 2 Nordamerika, 1997, by European Elephant Group: Haufellner, Schilfarth, Schweiger
Bob Cline, Cheraw, South Carolina, United States. Autor of the book Americas elephants
William Buckles Woodcock, Ruskin, U.S.A.: http://bucklesw.blogspot.se/2006/04/bridgeport-connecticut-qtrs-3.html
Billboard 27 mar 1948, http://books.google.se/books?id=i_UDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60&dq=Rimberg+%26+Fox&hl=sv&ei=uhSdTPjYM4OsOLDg6coB&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Rimberg%20%26%20Fox&f=false
https://classic.circushistory.org/Routes/BarnesSells1937.htm
Ryan Easley, USA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartford_circus_fire
https://venuesnow.com/feld-entertainment-is-bringing-the-circus-back/
https://circushistory.org/the-mystery-of-the-poisoned-elephants/
Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows, Inc. Route Book for 1947, https://digital.library.illinoisstate.edu/digital/collection/p15990coll5/id/13297

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus on elephant-news.com

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is mentioned on Elephant News:
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2020-09-23	White oak welcomes the largest asian elephant herd in the western hemisphere - Elephant News
2020-09-08	North america’s oldest elephant dies after dramatic decline in health - Elephant News
2016-04-23	Circus elephants retiring after providence shows - Elephant News
2016-01-19	Stephen payne: ringling bros. animals are well cared for, despite columnists unsupported claims - Elephant News
2021-04-01	Armpits, the circus and more: a dozen historic photos taken on april fool's day: 1963: ringling bros. circus elephant - Elephant News

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Casualties

Recommended Citation

Sources used for this article is among others:

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is mentioned on Elephant News: