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PICTURES: Elephants with the Ringling Bros. Circus

BIRMINGHAM, AL - JANUARY 21: A circus elephant kicks a football during Ringling Bros. "Elephant Brunch" at Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center on January 21, 2015 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by David A. Smith/Getty Images)

A circus elephant kicks a football during Ringling Bros. “Elephant Brunch” at Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center on January 21, 2015 in Birmingham, Alabama.   (David A. Smith / Getty Images)

The Morning Call

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will phase out the show’s iconic elephants from its performances by 2018, telling The Associated Press exclusively that growing public concern about how the animals are treated led to the decision.

Circus elephants enjoy their meal during Ringling Bros. "Elephant Brunch" at Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center on January 21, 2015 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Circus elephants enjoy their meal during Ringling Bros. “Elephant Brunch” at Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center on January 21, 2015 in Birmingham, Alabama.  (David A. Smith / Getty Images)

Circus elephants enjoy their meal during Ringling Bros. "Elephant Brunch" at Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center on January 21, 2015 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Circus elephants enjoy their meal during Ringling Bros. “Elephant Brunch” at Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center on January 21, 2015 in Birmingham, Alabama.   (David A. Smith / Getty Images)

A circus elephant at the Ringling Bros. "Elephant Brunch" at Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center on January 21, 2015 in Birmingham, Alabama.

A circus elephant at the Ringling Bros. “Elephant Brunch” at Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center on January 21, 2015 in Birmingham, Alabama.  (David A. Smith / Getty Images)

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Circus elephants entertain the crowd during Ringling Bros. "Elephant Brunch" at Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center on January 21, 2015 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Circus elephants entertain the crowd during Ringling Bros. “Elephant Brunch” at Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center on January 21, 2015 in Birmingham, Alabama.  (David A. Smith / Getty Images)

Elephants from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus parade along Ocean Drive on January 9, 2013 in Miami Beach, Florida.

Elephants from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus parade along Ocean Drive on January 9, 2013 in Miami Beach, Florida.   (Joe Raedle / Getty Images)

Duchess, a 42-year-old elephant from the Ringling Brothers Circus at Fenway Park in Boston.

Duchess, a 42-year-old elephant from the Ringling Brothers Circus at Fenway Park in Boston.  (Boston Globe / Boston Globe via Getty Images)

An animal rights activist in an elephant costume holds a placard during a protest in front of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, on July 11, 2012 in California, on the opening day of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

An animal rights activist in an elephant costume holds a placard during a protest in front of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, on July 11, 2012 in California, on the opening day of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.   (FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP/Getty Images)

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An animal rights activist holds a placard beside an inflatable elephant during a protest in front of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, on July 11, 2012 in California, on the opening day of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

An animal rights activist holds a placard beside an inflatable elephant during a protest in front of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, on July 11, 2012 in California, on the opening day of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.  (FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP/Getty Images)

Elephants are led by handlers past the US Capitol on March 13, 2012 during the annual Pachyderm Parade to celebrate the arrival of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to Washington.

Elephants are led by handlers past the US Capitol on March 13, 2012 during the annual Pachyderm Parade to celebrate the arrival of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to Washington.  (NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP/Getty Images)

Elephants pose with their handlers in front of the US Capitol on March 13, 2012 during the annual Pachyderm Parade to celebrate the arrival of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to Washington.

Elephants pose with their handlers in front of the US Capitol on March 13, 2012 during the annual Pachyderm Parade to celebrate the arrival of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to Washington.  (NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP/Getty Images)

Bonnie the Elephant, far right with hat, celebrated her 17th birthday as she and other elephants from the Ringling Brothers Circus had their traditional Brunch on the TD Garden event floor.

Bonnie the Elephant, far right with hat, celebrated her 17th birthday as she and other elephants from the Ringling Brothers Circus had their traditional Brunch on the TD Garden event floor.   (Boston Globe / Boston Globe via Getty Images)

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