New York State has become the first state to ban elephants in its circus acts beginning in January 2019. The treatment of elephants in circuses has come under scrutiny and ultimately helped lead to the demise of the Ringling Brothers Circus.
Governor Cuomo signed the bill almost four months after New York City joined many local jurisdictions across the country in banning all wild animals in their circus acts. Several Maryland counties are working on banning wild animals from circuses in their jurisdictions.
Maryland is poised to become the second state to ban elephants from being used in circuses. A bill to ban elephants in circuses will be introduced in the 2018 Maryland General Assembly. More details will follow on this legislation as the 2018 legislative session gets closer.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/circus-ban-elephants-new-york_us_59ea31bae4b0958c4681d6ba