The Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars event scheduled for the Sun 'n Fun campus has been canceled.

According to event organizers, the shows scheduled for Thursday and Friday will not go on.

The circus has also canceled shows in Gainesville, Naples, Cape Coral and Bonita Springs. The sudden decision was reportedly due to financial issues.

The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) has canceled its planned protests in Lakeland.

"We are encouraged that the Cole Bros. Circus, for the first time in at least 10 years, has ended its season early," said ARFF Campaigns Coordinator Nick Atwood. "We hope that this is a sign that cruel animal circuses are declining in popularity."
 
Cole Bros. has a horrible history of animal abuse and neglect. Not only has Cole Bros. violated federal laws intended to protect animals, but the circus has put children and families at risk by employing dangerously inexperienced elephant and tiger handlers.

In 2011 the Cole Bros. Circus and its president, John Pugh, pled guilty to violating the Endangered Species Act for unlawfully selling two Asian.

The circus was ordered to pay a $150,000 fine.