Last Friday, I had the opportunity to go somewhere not many people have ever been – I went on a tour of The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation located in Polk City, Florida. Not open to the public, this conservation center offered a fascinating look at elephants and a day that left me feeling inspired.
Serving as a home to retirees, calves and their mothers, male elephants, and elephants that don’t have the temperament to enjoy the circus life. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey cares for the largest herd of Asian elephants in the Western Hemisphere with 44 elephants.
I knew the minute we sat down to talk with Janice Aria, Director of Animal Stewardship that we were in for a treat. Janice started working with elephants in 1972, she knows these animals so well and you could just sense the passion in her voice.
“If you aren’t in awe standing next to an elephant, than you aren’t paying attention.” – Janice Aria, Director of Animal Stewardship.
“It’s hard not to be passionate about these animals.” – Janice Aria, Director of Animal Stewardship.
This fantastic conservation center is over 200 acres and opened in 1995. Since then, 26 elephants have been born at the center. Considering that there are less than 35,000 Asian elephants left in the entire world – that’s an astonishing number.
In 1973, a treaty was put in to place stating that all elephants must be born in the United States – transporting elephants across international borders is no longer allowed. If facilities (zoos, conservation centers, etc) do not produce an overall average of six female calves each year, there will be no elephants left in the United States in 50 years.
During our visit, we learned more about these beautiful animals from Dr. Wendy Kiso. She’s considered a rock star in the world of elephant world and she’s literally traveled the world learning about this species. Dr. Kiso explained the birthing process of elephants and talked a bit about breeding programs. Did you know an elephant is pregnant for 22 months and they only ovulate four times a year? (Craziness!)
Here’s a peek at mama Angelica and baby Mike – these two were my favorite elephants we met. Little Mike was born June 27, 2013 at the center and weighed 214 pounds! He was extremely friendly and he trotted all throughout the yard while we visited with him.
** I was an invited guest of The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation. My travel and accommodations were provided. Thoughts and opinions here are 100% my own. **
Comments
Emily
Oh my goodness! That baby elephant is SO cute!! SO cool all the work they are doing, and that you got to go and see it.
Carrie with Children
I am so in love with little baby Mike! He was just the cutest! It was a fascinating day!
Beeb
Those elephants are adorable!
Carrie with Children
I think so too, Beeb! I just love them!
Kerri O
I had no idea they did this. Very cool. OMG baby elephants are the CUTEST.
Carrie with Children
I didn’t know either until just a few weeks ago – such a fantastic experience! I wanted to bring that little elephant home with me!
Lolli @ Better in Bulk
Ahh! What an amazing opportunity and what a fantastic place! Oh, and I want that baby elephant. So adorable!!
Carrie with Children
I wanted to take baby Mike home with me! He had the cutest little personality running all over the place!
Angela
Oh wow! I loved visiting the Ringling museum when I lived in Florida. I had no idea this conservation existed. You are so lucky!
Carrie with Children
I didn’t realize they had this facility in Florida either – it was really a neat experience to see it in person!
mel
Aw! The elephants are so cute! I love the circus!
Carrie with Children
Me too, Mel! They were really a lot of fun!
Mitch
Elephants are my favorite animal.
This was an amazing post for me, I live in NYC and they are phasing out the elephants we have at the Bronx Zoo. There were always 4, now there are 2. When they are gone, they will not be replaced. That , to me, is awful.
Mitch
Carrie with Children
I just love elephants too, Mitch. That’s terrible to hear that your zoo is only down to two elephants now. Their population is dwindling and I agree, it is just terrible.
Thanks for reading!
Shauna
Oh my goodness, they are amazing and so very cute. I love that there is a place for them to go and stay safe!
Carrie with Children
The center is phenomenal. They have great caretakers and a staff of veterinarians – a very safe place for them live.
Jessica @FoundtheMarbles
I am so jealous! I wrote about this venue last year and caught some flack for it. So glad to hear that you got to take a tour!
Carrie with Children
It was really a neat experience to see it first-hand. I’m thankful for the opportunity!
Annie @ mama dweeb
This is an excellent peek into their care for elephants! Great post – I know this is a HOT topic.
Carrie with Children
Thanks for reading, Annie! It is a hot topic, but the animals I met at the center were so incredibly well taken care of. I was thankful to visit and see it in person.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell
This would have made me quite emotional as well. I have very mixed feelings about animals in captivity. 🙁
Carrie with Children
Liz – I was very thankful to tour the center and see it all in person. These animals are so incredibly loved and well taken care of. Appreciate you reading!
Melissa
So amazing! I love elephants – that video is so cool and love that picture of you!
Carrie with Children
Thank you! Crazy that I was that close to elephants and wasn’t even scared! They were beautiful
Becca - My Crazy Good Life
Amazing!! I love that they brought you there to spread the word about their animals and conditions. I believe they treat their animals with respect and dignity – I love working with RB 🙂
Carrie with Children
Yes! What an amazing experience to see their ‘home’ with my own eyes. They take such fantastic care of these beautiful animals.
Shop with Me Mama
Oh that little elephant is sooooo adorable!
Carrie with Children
Isn’t he just precious?! I love him!
Amy @ Oh So Savvy Mom
Wow, I didn’t realize what a big deal it was to have elephant calves born until you said how long gestation is and how few cycles a mom has each year. Really makes you appreciate the opportunities we have to see these beautiful creatures.
Doug Collins
These animals are kept behind electric wire fences and are chained up at night. This is not a sanctuary.
Sherril Johnson
Truth. Thank you.
Marryroseto
I am not so sure you have a complete picture of what occurs at the Barnum and Bailey Circuc based on your comment ” those elephants that can not enjoy the circus life Barnum and Bailey offers. I had heard then personally saw ( by mistakenly making a wrong turn on the grounds when this curcus was in New York city. Given my poor sence of direction I ended up behind a gate that contained yes theses beautiful and intelligent animals. Well anyway i too saw what most don’t. The trainer was using a bull hook on several of these majestic animals to coax them out of these cages way too small for their size. Some were out and chained in a way movement was very difficult. I will never forget the unsettling feeling That overcame me once I returned to the public area and saw these beautiful animals forced to entertaine us and all they must sacrifice to do so!
Jerri
So right! It makes me sick to think people are naïve enough to believe that these animals are taught to perform using sweet talk and chocolates. Circus animal abuse is well documented.
Laurel Burke
If you believe that Barnum and Bailey (Ringling Brothers) truly “retire” these animals from horribly abusive conditions then you are either deluded or incredibly misinformed! First, Elephants don’t “enjoy” performing, they are tortured into these behaviors for the sole benefit of human entertainment and greed. Second, this company doesn’t give an ant’s behind about conserving Elephants, they still (despite tremendous civilian opposition and boycotts) continue to use them for profit. Third, people who know how these animals are treated have been protesting the Ringling corporate model for decades. Read a book, watch “An apology to Elephants” or simply get a clue, elephants are highly intelligent, social creatures and should NOT be tortured, chained and abused their whole lives, only to be “retired” with the same caretakers (thugs) as they lived with while “performing”. Ever been prodded by a bull hook in your private parts? These guys have, on a daily basis.
Boycott all live animal performances or stop calling this a “civilized society” thank you!