Keeping an eye on the circus

An elephant waits for his turn to help out beneath the tent of the Carson & Barnes Family Circus on Monday. In the past, elephants were used to raise all tent poles between shows. But this elephant will only help haul the heaviest poles and let small forklifts slide the smaller poles into place. This elephant, as well as others owned by Carson & Barnes, will travel with the circus for eight months and then spend the winter at the circus’ base in Hugo, Okla. ¦ Amanda Lucier