Firefighters Give Circus Elephants at Bath at Toyota Park: Watch

Bridgeview, IL -- Bridgeivew firefighters helped hose down the elephants from Carson and Barnes Circus getting them ready for opening night.

The 80-year-old circus that still performs under a big top tent will be at Toyota Park in Bridgeview through June 30, with shows at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The elephant bathing ritual is a tradition in all of the towns on Carson and Barnes visits, where local firefighters are invited to get the girls spiffed up for opening night.

It takes about 500 gallons of water and two gallons of a specially formulated soap imported from Missouri to wash down each of circus’s three elephants.

A Bridgeview firefighter hoses down Becky the elephant from Carson and Barnes Circus.

Lisa, Becky and Traci seemed to enjoy their shower under the fire hose. Becky lifted each of her feet so that bottoms could be hosed down. All of the ladies enjoyed a long drink of water, courtesy of the BFD.

However, Carson and Barnes' arrival in Bridgeview isn't being greeted as enthusiastically by local animal rights activists, including the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, who are protesting the use of elephants for entertainment purposes.

PETA has posted a video reportedly showing a Carson and Barnes trainer abuse the elephants with a bull hook, but it could not be downloaded from the organization’s website.

Becky, with elephant handler Armando Loyal, lifts her feet for a wash.

The circus does appear to have a violation history with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, concerning sheltering, vet oversight and record keeping issues.

PETA also claims that Carson and Barnes agreed to pay a $16,000 fine to the USDA for a 2014 incident in St. Charles, MO, when an elephant got loose during a performance after spectators were told to stamp their feet on metal bleachers. The elephant suffered cuts and abrasions, but at the time of the incident, Carson and Barnes was leasing its elephants to another circus, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

The use of elephants as performers, especially in circuses, has drawn criticism due to a growing understanding of the trauma elephants are said to experience in captivity. Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus retired its pachyderm performers this year after decades of mounting public outcry.

Carson and Barnes elephant handler Armando Loyal and Traci.

The Hugo, OK-based Carson and Barnes Circus touts itself as America’s “Largest Big Top Show.” The two-hour shows features 30 animal performers, which the circus considers family members.

Loyal says he’s been with Lisa, 32, Becky, 38, and Traci, 35, who are considered middle-aged by elephant standards, for 26 years. He invites the public to stop by the Toyota parking lot -- anytime -- while the circus is in town to visit the animals, which in addition to the elephants, also includes ponies, goats, camels, llamas and a water buffalo.

“This is the United States of America. Everybody has the right to protest something they don’t like,” Loyal said. “As long you don’t interfere with anybody else’s rights, go ahead. [PETA] can say what they will. I have an open policy. I take care of them. I’m with them longer than I’m with my wife.”

Toyota Park is located at 7000 S. Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview. Discounted tickets (including free children’s admission with paying adult) are available online. Tickets will also be sold at the gate.