Ringling Bros. circus elephants to retire this weekend

After 145 years, an iconic symbol of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is retiring. Sunday's show in Providence, R.I. marks the elephants' final act.

After 145 years, an iconic symbol of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is retiring. 

Sunday's show in Providence, R.I. marks the elephants' final act.

In early 2015, Feld Entertainment executives told the AP that growing public concern about how the animals are treated led to the retirement decision. The circus had then said the elephants would be phased out by 2018.

But, the company announced in January that the elephants would retire in May 2016, earlier than planned.

The elephants are headed into retirement at the Center of Elephant Conservation in Florida. The circus's 11 elephants will join the rest of the herd, bringing the total to 42 elephants on the property.

"These are the best kept animals on the planet and they will continue to be," a ringmaster for Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus told NBC 10. 

The circus announced Friday it will debut an "Out Of This World" circus experience in July.

It's "an interactive, action-packed storyline filled with space-age family fun and technology, which deepens their connection to the performers." 

Learn about the new experience here.