Ringling Brothers moves elephants to Florida for retirement, breeding and research.
Dr.Schmitt is the head veterinarian for Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Center for elephant conservation in southern Florida, a 200-acre retirement home and breeding center for the circus’s Asian elephants. The facility housed 39 elephants as of July, including 11 that gave the circus’s last elephant performances..
Because of the trust and training of the elephants, Dr. Schmitt said, “We’re able to provide the best care for them as well as engage in some research projects occasionally”.
Because Asian elephants are endangered, this has huge implications for species conservation, not only to maintain our herd but also potentially around the world.