Bengal Tigers have been classified an endangered species by the IUCN in 2010 with an estimated population of 2 500 individuals with a decreasing trend.
South Cape FORUM had the rare opportunity to spend some time with world renowned Lion tamer, Casey Cainan of the McLaren Circus and some of the circus tigers and the white lion, Casper. McLaren Circus is a traditional circus and one of the few in South Africa still including animals, and especially lions, Bengal tigers and a white Bengal tiger as part of their circus programme. What most people don't realize is that these animals spent minimal time, a mere eight minutes in the ring as part of a two hour circus performance, which includes acrobats, trapeze artists, jugglers and daredevil acts.
The first question that comes to mind is the training and handling of these big cats. Casey has been working with big cats since the age of 14 and is very comfortable, but yet also respectful and cautious in their presence. "I don't train to fear". The animals are trained by means of positive reinforcement, patience and love and are only trained to perform to their natural abilities.
Being an extremely hot day in Riversdale, only Casper, the white lion, Misty, the white Bengal tiger and two of the four Bengal tigers, Karma and Zeus, decided to show face in their outside pen. Misty quickly got tired of the visit and joined the rest of the lions and tigers in their cages to soak up the shade. Meanwhile in the play area the two Bengals decided to make themselves at home inside the drinking water container.
McLaren Circus does not allow touching of the animals, because although they have all been bred in captivity and hand raised by their handlers, they are still seen as wild animals which can be dangerous, especially around people who do not understand their behaviour.
Casey has had his fair amount of 'scratches' and a 'love bite' or two, but is not scared of the four lions and five tigers he works with at the circus. He trains them about 15 minutes per day as both the lions and tigers, like most big cats, sleep up to 20 hours a day. "Their performance during the show is not even 10 minutes", explains Casey. During the up-close meeting it is clear that both trainer and animals are extremely comfortable in each others company.
Casey, as well as David and Duncan McLa-ren, see the circus cats as ambassadors of their species. In a short interview with David during interval at the Riversdale performance, he explained that the welfare, condition and care of their big cats are priority. "Our animals are well taken care of and not abused as many animal activists like to claim, most of whom never has set foot inside a big top". The big cats are also an expensive investment for the McLaren brothers, therefore only the best care is good enough.
Casey also explains that McLaren uses two 'exotic' veterinarians. "One in Cape Town and one in Johannesburg. Both specialize in big cats and have worked with McLaren for some time, the circus always have a vet on standby for any emergency". McLaren Circus is also one of the only circuses in South Africa with valid permits for every animal, especially very big cats. Animal welfare, CapeNature as well as veterinary inspections are welcomed as the McLaren brothers have a very high standard of animal care. The ne-cessary inoculations and de-worming are done on a regular basis and special attention is paid to their diets.
Taking the extreme heat in consideration, Casey excuses himself to patiently coax the two boisterous tigers into their enclosures. With a last look at these magnificent animals I leave Casey and his cats behind. Man and animal, perfectly in sync with each other getting ready for yet another day of circus life- a life of entertaining, but also education about a species which sadly is declining by the day.
* IN KORT
Die sirkus is nie almal se gunsteling tydverdryf nie. Heelwat mense is erg gekant teen sirkusse omdat hulle glo sirkusdiere word mishandel, misbruik en verwaarloos. Suid-Kaap FORUM het die afgelope week tyd spandeer saam met die leeutemmer van McLaren sirkus, Casey Cainan en die sirkus se groot katte. Tydens die besoek het Cainan verduidelik dat hy nie die wilde katte se toertjies met 'vrees' leer nie en dat geen dier in die sirkus enige toertjie doen wat nie binne hul vermoë is nie. Cainan, asook die eienaar van McLaren sirkus, David McLaren, het aan Suid-Kaap FORUM beklemtoon dat die welstand en gesondheid van die sirkus se diere, en veral die wilde katte is van groot belang aangesien dit nie slegs 'n belegging is nie, maar dat hul ook ambassadeurs is vir hul spesies. Bewusmaking rakende die diere is ook belangrik vir beide Cainan en McLaren.
During South Cape FORUM's visit: The two red Bengal tigers decided to take a swim in their water container; with the McLaren Circus Lion tamer, Casay Cainan; Casper the white lion looks on.
ARTICLE: LOUISE MOUTON, SUID-KAAP FORUM JOURNALIST
