A Look At A Herd Of Former Ringling Bros. Circus Elephants' Home In Florida Thirty-five members of the largest Asian elephant herd in the western hemisphere are being shipped to a lush new habitat at Florida's White Oak Conservation Center — a far cry from the days of forced performances and conditions that many animal lovers considered abusive. The elephants are retirees from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Just beginning in the spring, the first 12 animals in the herd have been sent to the conservation center just south of the Florida-Georgia line. For conservationist Michelle Gadd, it is a dream come true.