Final elephant performances: Ringling Bros. shows in Wilkes-Barre

Elephants have been part of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus since the 1880s, when showman P. T. Barnum brought Jumbo to the United States to tour with the circus.

That era will end after six upcoming performances in Wilkes-Barre.

The circus’ shows at the Mohegan Sun are the last to include elephants. The five Asian elephants in the “Circus Xtreme” show will then retire to the 200-acre Center for Elephant Conservation in Florida.

“It’s bittersweet,” says animal handler Ryan Henning. “I, myself, will be in tears. I hate to say goodbye to the elephants. It’s the end of an era.”

Last year, Ringling owner Feld Entertainment announced all of the touring elephants would move to the Center for Elephant Conservation by 2018. But the company since decided to retire the elephants even sooner.

The decision was made partly because of increasing local regulations that made it difficult to properly care for the elephants, as well as pressure from animal rights activists, Henning says.

“We’re not in the business of fighting city council,” Henning says.

With the addition of the retiring elephants, there will be 42 Asian elephants at the Florida preserve.

Henning says the herd has had 26 babies since the early 1990s, making it one of the most successful captive elephant breeding programs.

For the final shows with the five female elephants — April, 5; Mabel, 9; Ronka and Luna, both 31; and Asia, 48 — Henning will make a point of talking about each elephant and its personality.

“We want the audience leaving the show knowing each individual elephant,” he says. “They all have different personalities. The younger ones are more outgoing and playful, and Asia is definitely the leader.”

The younger elephants are a lot like kids and will steal each other’s food, get into thing and test limits, he says.

As well as focusing on breeding, the center also is involved in a pediatric cancer research partnership with Dr. Joshua Schiffman of Primary Children’s Hospital and The Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah. Cancer is much less common in elephants than in humans, and researchers hope studies of their blood might lead to ways to protect people from cancer.

For the last six shows this weekend, the elephants will know when it’s time to perform when the crew put on each one’s headdress. Henning says they respond to 50 verbal commands, in multiple languages including English, Hindi and Spanish. The older elephants that worked with famed animal trainer Gunther Gebel-Williams also understand German and French.

After the elephants retire, Henning will continue to work with the show’s other animals, which include 19 Bengal tigers, seven camels, three horses, three ponies, a mini donkey and 18 poodles. In addition to the animal acts, the show also include high-wire artists, strongmen, BMX trick riders, trampoline performers, contortionists and a human cannonball.

But Henning says “the elephants are the loves of my life.”

One of his favorite parts of the show has always been the pre-show open house, during which ticket holders can see the animals up close. One of the highlights has been Asia, who paints with her trunk.

“Getting the people close to the animals is great,” Henning says. “This is a big transition. People are coming from around the world for these shows. It will definitely be mixed emotions, but at the end of day we’re doing what is best for the animals.”

kathy.lauer@mcall.com

610-778-2235

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS

*What: The final performances with Asian elephants before they are retired to live at Ringling Bros.’ Center for Elephant Conservation in Florida

*When: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

*Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre

*How much: $12.50-$60

*Info: 800-745-3000, www.ringling.com