The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus will have a final curtain call in a matter of months. The three-ring extravaganza is packing it up for good after nearly 150 years under the big top. Animal rights activists like PETA are happy — but more than a few ardent supporters of the circus are not.  NY1's Natalie Dudridge has the story.

It is known as "The Greatest Show on Earth," featuring high flying acrobats and exotic animals, but after 146 Years — the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus is closing. 

"I used to go all the time as a kid," said one man. "I loved the circus, my kids go." 

"I think that's horrible," said one woman. "Ringling Brothers have been around for so long. Why are they closing?"

The Circus's owner, Feld Entertainment said it was a very tough decision, but said in a statement:

"Ringling Bros. ticket sales have been declining, but following the transition of the elephants off the road, we saw an even more dramatic drop. This, coupled with high operating costs, made the circus an unsustainable business for the company."

"I think the circus has kind of died out," said one woman.

"If they treated the animals better it would probably be OK," said another.

For years, the circus has been involved in legal battles with animal rights groups over the use of elephants in the show. The pachyderms were moved to a conservation center in Florida last year.  

But PETA says they aren't happy with the conditions at the Circus's breeding centers, and says it will work to make sure all the animals go to a safe sanctuary. 

The animal rights group also says other attractions should pay attention.

"The public has learned a lot over the last several years about the ways the animals suffer behind the scenes, kept in captivity, forced to perform," said PETA spokeswoman Ashley Byrne. "This should be a warning to Sea World, to roadside zoos and other circuses still using animals, that the public does not want to see animals being exploited for entertainment."

But many circus goers, say they have mixed emotions and that it's the end of an era. 

"Well that's really sad, especially for the kids," said one man. "I enjoy coming to the circus to see the animals to see the spirit, it's something that the whole of New York City is going to miss."

For those, wanting to catch one of the final shows, there are still 30 more to go — before the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey pack up their tent for the last time.

The circus will be at Barclays Center February 23 through March 3, and stage its final performance on May 21 at Nassau Coliseum.