Ringling Brothers Circus performs in Chicago for the first time without elephants

FOX 32 NEWS - The Ringling Brothers took its big top to Chicago Thursday night, with one big change.

The iconic elephants were gone. All eleven retired this past summer.

Despite the decision, many people at the Chicago show didn't know about the change.

"I'm looking forward to seeing all the animals, the elephants and I'm looking forward to having fun.”

FOX 32: The elephants aren't here this year.

“Oh, well I'm looking for the tigers then."

The newest generation of kids being introduced to the circus for the first time will never know one with elephants.

Ringling Brothers has faced criticism in the past over its treatment of some of its animals, but they won't say that's what led to the decision to retire the elephants.

Instead, spectators were treated to a futuristic themed show with state of the art video projection.

Although the elephants are no longer in the show, now it seems the tiger is the most popular in the show.

The audience was still dazzled by the acrobatics and its newest addition: the ice skating performances.

The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus is in town through the 27th.