Circus hits Sydney: Lennon Bros lions the mane event
Local News 5 Jul 11WHILE animal welfare groups oppose the use of exotic animals in circuses, Warren Lennon says the performing lions at Lennon Bros Circus are contented cats.“They have regular veterinarian checks and at the last one the vet said they have no stress problems and are very healthy,” he said.Lennon Bros, Australia’s oldest touring circus, has two female and one male lion - the 12th generation of lions born and bred in captivity.“We’ve done research and lions are the most suitable animals for the circus because they don’t roam like other big cats do - they have their pride territory, which they stay in through their whole lives,” he said.“They also sleep for up to 20 hours a day.” The circus, which also features monkeys, is one of the last in Australia to use exotic animals.“Some councils are banning us but some are allowing us back in,” Mr Lennon said. “The councils that are letting us back in have done more research on what we do and they see it in a different light.”Mr Lennon said a minority was trying to change circuses, and the public still wanted to see wild animal shows - evidenced by the crowds that turned up.He said the lions spent from 6.30am to 10pm in large exercise pens when they were not performing and animals were not mistreated during training, which relied on rewards. “There are no whips used, it’s just positive reinforcement - talking to them, we even pat them,” he said. As for the 2001 lion attack on his trainer brother Geoff, Mr Lennon said any animal could be dangerous.
“The lions will have off days, just like us, when they don’t want anyone around them,” he said. “You have to be able to read the animals’ thinking, and if they’re having an off day, we don’t make them do anything.”However organisations such as RSPCA NSW, which has called for a statewide ban on exotic animals in circuses, argue circus life does not allow wild creatures to exhibit their natural behaviours, and results in stress, boredom and abnormal behaviours such as pacing. “‘Using animals for our entertainment is not fair on them,” RSPCA spokeswoman Marianne Zander said.
Next week: Central reports on a Lennon Bros Circus lion training session.Lennon Bros Circus is at Cahill Park, Arncliffe, throughout July.
A Rockdale Council spokesman said its circus policy was in line with the legislation administered by the Primary Industries Department, which ensured circus operators regularly had their animals inspected by a veterinarian. ``Council has adopted a policy that allows circuses to be held at Cahill Park subject to operators submitting a veterinary certificate which certifies that the animals are healthy and well treated,’’ he said.
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