Palmetto's Feld Entertainment, the parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, announced Saturday that the 146-year-old circus will hold its final performances in May. According to a press release, the decision to end the circus tours was made as a result of high costs coupled with a decline in ticket sales, making the circus unsustainable. Following the transition of the elephants off the circus, the company saw a decline in ticket sales greater than could have been anticipated. “This was a difficult business decision to make, but by ending the circus tours, we will be able to concentrate on the other lines of business within the Feld Entertainment portfolio,” said Juliette Feld, Feld Entertainment’s chief operating officer, according to the press release.