Circus bosses at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey have announced they're scrapping their elephant acts, two years after the release of a disturbing documentary about the treatment of the big top beasts.

In An Apology to Elephants, actress/comedienne Lily Tomlin explored the purported abuse and brutal treatment of elephants behind the scenes at zoos and circuses in the U.S.

Tomlin is one of many celebrities who have been fighting for a ban on elephant acts in circuses touring America and now it appears Ringling Bros. bosses are taking note - they have announced all their endangered Asian elephants will be relocated to the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation within three years.

Animal rights activists at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the organisation leading the charge on the circus elephant ban, are celebrating the news.

Peta spokesperson Delcianna Winders says, "We are of course thrilled with the announcement, assuming that Ringling is indeed serious about this. But they need to show they're serious by making this effective immediately."

There are no plans to end circus attractions featuring tigers, lions, horses and camels.