A Ringling Bros. Relative is Keeping the American Circus Alive (HBO)

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey ended its 146-year run this month, with a final show at the Nassau Coliseium in NY. But is this the end of the American circus as we know it?
VICE News Tonight visits the Kelly Miller Circus, run by the nephew of the Ringling Bros. He’s filling circus tents nightly and says the high profile closure could be good for business.
Watch VICE News Tonight Mondays through Thursdays at 7:30 PM ET on HBO.
Subscribe to VICE News here: bit.ly/Subscrib...
Check out VICE News for more: vicenews.com
Follow VICE News here:
Facebook: / vicenews
Twitter: / vicenews
Tumblr: / vicenews
Instagram: / vicenews
More videos from the VICE network: www. vic...

[@ronjonsurf39]

"wanna get your picture taken with a mongolian?" i fucking died lol

[@samgeorge4798]

ronjonsurf39 "ya he is a real Mongolian" person responds "hey Jose had a half Chinese mother that counts"

[@MerkedTrick]

You sound like a racist, you describe white people like the devil, you're probably the kind of person who has ''melanin poppin'' in your twitter description or type ''white devil'' rants on instagram.

[@ronjonsurf39]

1235678 knowing the history of the "side show savages" how can you actually argue their comment is wrong?

[@Sp1n1985]

The Mongolians were Gymnast though

[@MerkedTrick]

Is that supposed to be an argument? you race bait and then fling insults my way.

[@tonimoon6346]

I lived in europe for years, & used to see small circuses like this regularly...this is awesome, back to grass roots & real tradition...best of luck 🤘

[@veronicasanchezmontiel2369]

Yes best of luck, without the tradition of human and animal enslavement and exploitation.

[@bradyfry8031]

Back in the old days was when a circus was worth seeing, animals, clowns, acrobats all made it worth while. These days I feel like social media and cell phones are part to blame for its demise

[@Tweezy786]

Yep that is pretty much why it has ended. Technology is cool, However it also sucks because it ruins everything.

[@reneastle8447]

It'll be great to get the circus being worth seeing again, with the animals, clowns, and acrobats making it worthwhile again.

[@reneastle8447]

@@Tweezy786 We should be careful with technology. Wouldn't it be great to one day have social media and cell phones wiped out from existence?

[@TheBestTrainsAreReal]

I don't care what people say to me I will always love the circus

[@christiandelahoz2326]

Thank you!!!

[@UrbanOdyssey]

Glad to see someone is still trying to keep the American circus alive

[@oolong2]

Circuses drew thousands of people. Then came radio, TV, video games, internet, and endless porn.

[@reneastle8447]

We can bring people back into the circus, it's a part of entertainment's history.

[@oolong2]

@@reneastle8447 No you can't. It's a part of entertainment *history* with the emphasis on "history".... Just like a lot of things were part of history, good for their time but have little place in today's world.

[@MrSammyD91]

The Ringling Bros. Circus may be gone, but at least smaller companies are doing their best to keep the tradition of the circus alive and well!! I salute you John Ringling North! Best of luck to all of you!

[@reneastle8447]

Good news, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus is back.

[@MrSammyD91]

@@reneastle8447 They're back? Really? That's wonderful!!

[@RustyB5000]

im pissed i never got to see a ringling bros circus....

[@player2hannah532]

I got to once when I was very little, my brothers and I loved it. There were a lot of protesters though. But honestly as a kid, the protesters scared me more than the tigers did XD

[@MrSammyD91]

Same here. I at least got to see a real show under the big top once as a kid. That's about it though

[@IsThatEtchas]

This circus was cited for not giving their elephants medical care after they had an infected wound from the trainers using bull hooks on them (steel tipped hooked sticks used to train the elephants). After they were caught doing this, the public backlash caused him to sell the circus and the new owners stopped doing animal acts.

[@bradythomas234]

As long as they treat the animals right then that's fine. Ringling sadly did not do that in it's final years

[@IsThatEtchas]

This circus was cited for not giving their elephants medical care after they had an infected wound from the trainers using bull hooks on them (steel tipped hooked sticks used to train the elephants). After they were caught doing this, the public backlash caused him to sell the circus and the new owners stopped doing animal acts.

[@radioisactive7590]

I mean, as long as the animals are happy and healthy it doesn't matter if their in the wild or in the circus. It doesn't seem like these ones are being mistreated at all so I just think it's cool!

[@IsThatEtchas]

They were cited for not giving their elephants medical care after they had an infected wound from the trainers using bull hooks on them (steel tipped hooked sticks used to train the elephants). After they were caught doing this, the public backlash caused him to sell the circus and the new owners stopped doing animal acts.

[@DeFiDylan]

WHY DOES NO ONE MENTION BARABOO, WI WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT THE RINGLINGS?!

[@007cheburashka]

I love that he thanks the protestors. Hahaha 😂😂😂✊🏿

[@animeemokid1018]

I miss the animals. I watched their performances when I was a kid and I just saw one tonight and there were many new faces and many old ones and many people that weren’t there. I loved the animals. There was a side attraction the first time I was there with many different oddities like 2headed duck with 3 legs and 2 headed turtle. They used to have elephant rides camel rides and the pony rides.

[@paulsiegfried6337]

@Stroppy Paws no comment

[@reneastle8447]

We'll get them back. This time, they'll be treated much better with respect and dignity.

[@ultramarine584]

I grew up here. All these people and many more from other years, all family in my eyes. If your out there seeing this, comment. i miss yall

[@bettierusso5410]

GOD BLESS YOU for not closing. I want my grandchildren to see the circus. I hope and pray you are able to keep the circus going. Thank you for doing it. It is a part of American history and we are losing way too much of our history these days. You are right, the Elephants make the circus.

[@adriangarcia543]

I miss Ringling Brothers so much

[@paulsiegfried6337]

Me too

[@adriangarcia543]

@@paulsiegfried6337 thank you

[@paulsiegfried6337]

@@adriangarcia543 you’re welcome 😉

[@sanicspooderman3201]

Damn y’all Miss animals being mistreated crazy

[@trevorthesorcerer]

@@sanicspooderman3201 If you did’t know Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus used voice commands for all there animals. Son no abuse at The Greatest Show On Earth.

[@andrew480miller]

"I take care of the elephants" as he holds a prod under his arm

[@Kat-xn2xg]

andrew480miller I KNOW RIGHT

[@Gaelicnationalist]

andrew480miller badass

[@christiandelahoz2326]

It's called an ankus, or more commonly elephant guide or elephant goad. It's used to ask the elephants to move and to point where to move. It's not abusive when used correctly, and it's actually required by law. The ankus is also USDA approved. If you hold one, you'll notice it's actually dull, not sharp. It does not hurt the elephants.

[@christiandelahoz2326]

And he does take care of them.

[@ultramarine584]

@@christiandelahoz2326 true

[@RustyB5000]

they should totally just relaunch with the name dingaling bros.

[@stormlecat6421]

I miss the animals in the circus it just ain't the same

[@VeteransDeserveRights]

Is there an internet site that tells where your circus is performing? My family and I would LOVE to see your circus. Thanks for keeping this alive!

[@trevorthesorcerer]

It closed

[@Automedon2]

I knew one of those elephants, Lisa, for many years. I actually cared for her for a few months when she was just 15. Now it's close to 40 years later and that poor girl is still being made to do the same stupid shit day after day. The other elephant is Becky who was seen in the Carson and Barnes Circus (who owns those two) hidden video of abuse - screaming as the hook is driven into her. The Friscos are notorious for animal abuse. It is another Frisco who is seen in the Carson Barnes video. Like they said in that video, you can't abuse them in front of the public, so you have to instill the fear back at winter quarters. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4DMaXuVhcp4aKc

[@IsThatEtchas]

This circus was literally cited for using bull hooks and not giving their elephants medical care for oozing puncture wounds. Fortunately, the backlash made the guy sell the circus and the new owner stopped using elephants.

[@rontropics26]

If you buy tickets to watch this than you should have to watch how the elephants were first trained.

[@joe-cincorporated4484]

Ron Tropics that would be fun depending where you go not all places treat them like s*** that's just a stereotype

[@Kat-xn2xg]

Ron Tropics exactly :)

[@christiandelahoz2326]

Are you assuming all trainers abuse their elephants? Because that's simply not true.

[@BonnieDragonKat]

John Ringling North II..... Your circus reminds me of my childhood.

[@annwilkiemeyer3433]

Peta is People eating tasty animals

[@DCfan-xm7fp]

I love circuses

[@paulsiegfried6337]

Me too 🎪🤡

[@vegasdavetv]

long live the circus

[@hankterreros223]

"Hey Rube"!

[@texasmade8088]

Ill be there in few. Alot dont know what that means.

[@Gmal51]

William oscer garvin: I think if circus were to treat animals with respect the animals could come to the circus As long as they were trained and treated with respect then I would have gave in it points If there were no Whips involved for the animals But treat them with respect Then yeah I'll give them points for that When training them and Teach Is them with great respect.

[@SnoopEastwood]

I love circuses as long as the animals are well treated which it seems they are. The elephants are safer in the circus than in the wild with poachers I bet.

[@TheSuirad]

Political correctness. Political correctness everywhere.

[@ericsmith4908]

If being against beating endangered animals for entertainment is PC than I guess I'm the PC police

[@nicholasjanke3476]

Why do I keep expecting to see Charlton Heston and Jimmy Stewart?

[@wackyruss]

Maybe a smaller scale Circus is better- like in the olden days (minus the sideshow freaks LOL). Perhaps they can care for the elephants better if they only have two?

[@samanthakwait8782]

Have a circus without animals

[@stevegregory2867]

Ñice to see Kelly Millers Circus touring USA with elephants

[@usfdave10]

"Animal activists usually help business" The guy is delusional, society has moved on past animal abuse for entertainment and these activists have led the way to ending your terrible ways. What it comes down to is they never changed. Blame Cirque du Soleil if anything.

[@danielholman7866]

Hello friend, Did you watch the video, he said exactly how the protesters help his business; they bring attention to the people of an area that the circus is in town. A question, how much do you know of elephant care? I know nothing about it, which I expect is the same case for you. Think about it, get over it, "you" got rid of an american tradition. It didn't have anything to do with you, really though. If you think you helped take down the Ringling Brothers with a tweet or talking to people or your comment right here, you didn't. If you were a PETA exec. I'd give you credit, but you most likely only complained at a small scale and annoyed some people.

[@IsThatEtchas]

@@danielholman7866 Well, they got cited by authorities for animal abuse and the public backlash made the guy sell the circus and the new owner phased out the elephants. So they didn't really help his business in the end, did they? lol

[@dianaortiz1150]

You want to take a picture with a Mongolian. WTF 😳 Poor elephants 🐘 Ringling Bros is going to begin to start shows again in 2022 without animals.

[@jupiter7795]

Go watch a video on how these animals are treated behind the scenes, then make your comments.

[@ericsmith4908]

Or just look at the hooked prod the fad guy was holding. That two inch steel hook tears into the elephant's leg whenever it doesn't do a trick well enough. All those light brown scars on the elephant's body and face aren't natural.

[@christiandelahoz2326]

@@ericsmith4908 Not true. The "hook" is actually dull and does not pierce the skin. Only assholes abuse their animals. Real elephant handlers know to be gently with it and since elephants are trained by voice, they don't always have to touch the elephant with it. It's an extension of the hand.

[@Lycaon1765]

Exploitation is exploitation, no matter how "open to the public"

[@christiandelahoz2326]

As long as the animal is well cared for, exhibiting them is perfectly fine! It's not exploitation

[@Lycaon1765]

@@christiandelahoz2326 yes it is. Just because you treat your slave all nice and give them a fancy shed to live in, it doesn't change the fact they're a slave. That elephant doesn't want to be there, so it's exploitation.

[@christiandelahoz2326]

@@Lycaon1765 These aren't slaves. These are PETS. Every day is dedicated to them, they have vet care, foot care, dental care, and they are cleaned and bathed daily. If anything, the handlers are really the slaves considering how much they care for the animals. And when they are not on the road, they live on huge properties. The handlers are also USDA regulated and inspected! Slaves were never treated as well as these animals.

[@Lycaon1765]

@@christiandelahoz2326 it was an analogy, but even then, yes they are slaves. They are being forced to work against their will. They are being held captive against their will. They are slaves. And again, just because you treat them 'nicely' doesn't change the fact that you're enslaving them.

[@christiandelahoz2326]

@@Lycaon1765 You've been watching too many Peta videos. Animals aren't slaves. And by your claim, that means you think owning a dog or cat is slavery. You should see where these elephants live. They live on huge properties with acres of land to roam when they are not performing. And they only perform a couple months out of the year.

[@Sponge69197]

i like circus, but I don't like to see any kind of animals on circus or any other show.

[@christiandelahoz2326]

Its never a real circus without animals!

[@paulsiegfried6337]

Back off

[@gachalizz2943]

Then why didnt u help the fucking animals i fucking swear , if u abuse the animlas-

[@teacherslearn]

I don't think "taking care of" means the same to you as it does to the elephants.

[@jamesdavis5096]

I want to apply for elephant beater. Then if I beat them enough, long enough and hard enough, I will get a promotion to chief elephant beater.

[@andyandy8047]

Hopefully it will be gone forever and the animal abuse will start

[@nunyafawkingbiz]

Sorry but this was very plain and boring for a circus ..we live in different times and this just isn't interesting to enough people... especially the youth

[@Panthers1521]

I actually would go see this.

[@Panthers1521]

Give the people what they want.

[@samgeorge4798]

Panthers1521 but I want dog fights. but apparently that's illegal too

[@Panthers1521]

Its about being reasonable, having dogs rip each other apart is needs to be illegal. Having elephants run around with no proof of abuse is not illegal.

[@samgeorge4798]

Panthers1521 I don't think you understand the prerequisites needed to properly take care of a 2 ton elephant. a sized lot and a water hose will not help a animal that needs 20 person group of vets to live in captivity. if they were properly taken care of I would have no problem but that is just not possible with what circus's bring In now .

[@lewis2442woods]

This is so sad...

[@lawrestler]

The Kelly Miller Circus has also folded its big top for good. Sad.

[@IsThatEtchas]

The owner sold it because he got backlash for animal abuse, was cited by authorities for it. The Kelly Miller Circus is now under new ownership and is elephant free.

[@AxmanGamingHD]

Do a video on how Germany is struggling with the refugees both culturally and economically

[@SamNasab]

They are not.

[@bugspy300]

Living in Berlin. Still alive. Economy is on a rise.

[@cameronsipka3352]

animal activists help business, but there'll never be a big three ring circus again? this guy.

[@U.S.A..]

elephants should not be in circuses. .

[@christiandelahoz2326]

Elephants SHOULD be in circus! Peta forced Ringling to get rid of its elephants and then people stopped coming. People want to see elephants! And those animals are treated better than people

[@christiandelahoz2326]

@RJ Angus Not everyone is fooled by animal rights groups lies

[@IsThatEtchas]

@@christiandelahoz2326 I can't believe all those animal rights activists managed to make all those videos of circus trainers literally driving bull hooks into them, or the government who cited this circus for doing the same. The oozing bull hook wound they got cited for must have been painted on.

[@orriechristopher862]

Elephants are the best part of the circus

[@vinaymane5538]

circus makes me feel sad.

[@sheiswhosheismrs.beautiful2466]

no circus animal abuse

[@MrThisucks]

id rather have circuses than zoo's you go the zoo and watch animals wait to die sitting in a synthetic representation of their environment. shit, one time i went to the lincoln park zoo in chicago and in the moat there laid a tiger looking half dead with a bucket of water. At least in the circus the animals are taken out and given fame and purpose.

[@chupacabra9357]

Would you rather, sit around with nothing to do, or, have to do tricks you wouldn't want to do, and get moved around for miles in a box the size of a bathtub? I'll wait..

[@chupacabra9357]

You get pain in the second one, and discomfort. By the way, telling me to shove a carrot makes your argument even more invalid than it already is.

[@chupacabra9357]

Ah, the true words of someone who has lost an argument but is trying to show they don't care. Cools down my heart

[@margui6224]

Pure ignorance! The only place that a wild animals can be happy is their natural habitat. Not doing stupid tricks! This man is full of stupidity.

[@christiandelahoz2326]

@@chupacabra9357 The animals arent forced to do anything. You can't make an animal do something they don't want to do. The animals are really well cared for and when the circus is over the go home. Their homes are huge properties with lots of room to walk and eat. It's all about rewardin the animal when they do something good, which makes them want to do it. Stop spreading ignorance.

[@vasectomyfail442]

clowns and performers are fine, just leave the animals out of it.

[@amadcarrot]

Timefliesbye no, elephants are "trained" to do tasks that are not an extension of their natural behaviors.

[@alexandravalerious3274]

Andrew Kling well with dogs, domestication is mutually beneficial. thousands of years ago they helped us hunt and we fed each other and protected each other from predators. even then there's people that abuse their dogs, but not everyone. think of the dogs that defend their people from intruders or seeing eye dogs. there's also evidence to suggest that cats might have come to us rather than people try to domestic them at first

[@jamaririptoe8555]

what behavior they do is exactly out of their natural behavior walking? use the trunks that were adapted to be used like arms? living in a community environment like they do in the wild?

[@TheTapeandscissors]

Damn, didn't know riding a horse was abuse. (Hint: horses don't naturally want someone to ride them and need to be trained/"broken" to not be assholes)

[@jamaririptoe8555]

John Wayne actually horses did not evovle alongside​ humans BUT elephants did and so did camels and it doesn't hurt that they were bred to develop bodies that could handle a human on their back (DROPS MIC AND LEAVES COMPUTER)

[@joshspawn161]

Those elephants are having so much fun