Five years after the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus closed down after 146 years, it announced yesterday (May 18th) that it’s coming back, but its new incarnation won’t have any animal acts.

A 50-city North American tour is planned to start in September 2023, with international dates after that, according to the circus’ owner, Feld Entertainment. Criticism over its use of animals was a major factor in Ringling Bros. shutting down, playing a role in declining ticket sales, as well as leading to costly court battles over the use of elephants.