NEW YORK - The big top may be coming down for good at the Big Apple Circus.

The non-profit organization behind the circus says it has filed for bankruptcy.

Its "Save the Circus" emergency fundraising failed to bring in enough money to produce a 2016-2017 season.

The circus is now looking into the sale of its upstate storage and training facilities, and hoping for a buyer or new financial support.

After holding shows for nearly 40 years, the Big Apple Circus says in the meantime it is focusing on community programs like Clown Care, which has performers visit children in hospitals across the country.