Major US circus group to stop using elephants in its shows

One of the biggest circus companies in the United States has announced it will no longer use elephants in its shows after 2018.

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus said many spectators were no longer comfortable having elephants as part of the show.

Animal right activists have also protested against the use of the elephants in live shows for years saying they face physical abuse at the hands of trainers and unhealthy living conditions.

Feld Entertainment, Ringling's parent company, said its 43 elephants would live at an animal conservation centre in Florida.