Measure would ban elephant performances in Madison

MADISON, Wis. — A proposal before a Dane County Board committee could mean the end of elephant performances in Madison.

The committee is scheduled to vote Tuesday evening on the proposal, which would ban performing pachyderms at the Alliant Energy Center.

Supervisor Matt Veldran says elephants don’t belong in trucks and circuses. He says it’s not possible to have elephants in a traveling show and house them humanely.

If his proposal is ultimately approved by the full board next month, it could mean the end of the long-running Zor Shrine Circus, which features elephant performances.

The county’s contract with the group runs through 2020. Veldran says it might be possible to negotiate rather than breach any contracts.

A Wisconsin State Journal report says the Zor Shriners didn’t immediately return messages.