Ringling Circus Closes after 146 years

After 146 years, circus owners The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey told The Associated Press their last show would be in May of 2017. There are a number of reasons the curtain will drop for good on the most popular circus in the world.

The main reason being, the decline in attendance. With high operating costs the circus can not afford to continue. The decline in attendance can be largely attributed to animals rights groups, who have affected public opinion urging people not to attend the circus.

La Prensa reported that Juliette Feld, director of operations for the company, recognize this as factor that led to their closure. What once attracted millions of people to their show has led to it's demise: the animals, she explained.

The Ringling circus, with its exotic animals and death-defying acrobats, has been in Panama City a number of times.