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WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Those who attended opening night of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s CircusXtreme at Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday to see one of the show’s last elephant performances shouldn’t have left disappointed.

One of the circus’ star pachyderms was on stage with the ringmaster shortly after the start of “The Greatest Show on Earth” for an announcement that the company’s herd of 41 Asian elephants would soon be retiring to Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation in Florida, where they will participate in cancer research studies.

Elephants rarely get cancer, and it’s the hope that studying why will help scientists find ways to help prevent cancer in humans. He also announced $10,000 donations to the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital at Geisinger in Danville and to research into the low incidence of cancer in elephants.

Prior to the show, Ryan Henning, assistant elephant manager and assistant animal superintendent for the circus, noted that “after 145 years of being a huge part … of the Greatest Show on Earth, this is our elephants’ last stop here in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, before transitioning to retirement.”

Henning said the transition “will really allow us to focus 100 percent on our conservation efforts to ensure that these guys will be around for many generations. And at the end of the day, that’s the most important thing — ensuring that future generations can appreciate these magnificent creatures.”

Prior to the CircusXtreme, some attendees paid extra admission to attend a pre-show at which they could meet and mingle with circus performers on the arena floor and see some mini-performances up-close.

Holding the hand of his 4-year-old daughter, Serenity, after she got her picture taken with clown Rosie McQueen, Joseph Reyes, of Shenandoah, said he wanted to attend because he “heard it’s the last time elephants are are going to be around, so I hope to see some of the elephants.”

Being Serenity’s first visit to the circus, she said she wanted to see “everything,” and hopefully a zebra and a monkey.

After Tyler Lucas, 10, of Pittston, participated in a tug-of-war with the circus strong man, he said he looked forward to “seeing the animals” and was “sad” the elephants wouldn’t be part of future circuses.

His mom, Laura, said Thursday was the family’s second visit to the circus in two years. She said they came this year because “we heard it’s the last year for the elephants and we really wanted to come see them again.” She said she had “mixed feelings” about the elephants retiring.

“They always seem well taken care of and don’t seem to be abused, but it’s always good to see them going back to nature,” she said.

Henning said that while he’ll miss the elephants, he’s excited about the transition, as is the company and its animal care team.

“It’s the end of an era,” he said, “but it’s new beginnings for everybody and we’re looking forward to it.”

An elephant makes an entrance into the ring during the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus performance at Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_circus10-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAn elephant makes an entrance into the ring during the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus performance at Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)Pete G. Wilcox | Times Leader

A circus performer on an elephant in the ring during the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus performance at Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_circus12-1.jpg.optimal.jpgA circus performer on an elephant in the ring during the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus performance at Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)Pete G. Wilcox | Times Leader

A trapeze artist performs in the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus at Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_circus14-1.jpg.optimal.jpgA trapeze artist performs in the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus at Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)Pete G. Wilcox | Times Leader

The ring master emcees the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus performance at Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_circus15-1.jpg.optimal.jpgThe ring master emcees the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus performance at Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)Pete G. Wilcox | Times Leader

Circus performers on bicycles during the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus performance at Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_circus16-1.jpg.optimal.jpgCircus performers on bicycles during the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus performance at Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)Pete G. Wilcox | Times Leader

A circus performer on an elephant in the ring during the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus performance at Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_circus11-1.jpg.optimal.jpgA circus performer on an elephant in the ring during the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus performance at Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday. (Pete G. Wilcox|Times Leader)Pete G. Wilcox | Times Leader

By Steve Mocarsky

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Reach Steve Mocarsky at 570-991-6386 or on Twitter @TLSteveMocarsky.