Published on badische-zeitung.de the 27.12.2018. |: By Christine Storck
The successful and renowned animal trainer Alexander Lacey clarifies about modern animal training at the Offenburg Christmas circus.
Note: Whether its at the zoo, at the circus, TV or elsewhere, animal trainers are confronted with prejudices. Because of some black sheep, it has been possible for opponents to the keeping of animals, to make a real hustle against the whole industry. This hits the trainers especially hard, but animal rights activists have no issue with this, since they are against any form of animal husbandry. It is however a problem for the majority of the population, who does have a demand for a good keeping of animals and to see the herewith connected training.
Keeping at the circus is particularly controversial – also in animal owner circles. Its often forgotten that the opponents do not differentiate, all are on their hit list. For instance, we can often witness how zoos are accused of similarity to circuses, when they show presentations that follow the concept of edutainment. So its clear that the populism that hits good circuses is passed on to zoos. Educational entertainment with animals can however be beneficial to animal, species and nature conservation, as ambassadors are presented, who inspire people about the protection of animals.
