Circus Zoological Society

Circus Zoological Society - NEWS

CZS PRESIDENT A JUDGE AT TOP FESTIVAL - The president of the Circus Zoological Society, MARTIN LACEY, will be one of the judges at next year's International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo, running from Thursday 20 - Sunday 30 January. This is the largest and most prestigious event of its kind in the world. Every year 30 of the world's top circus acts come together to compete for the fabulous 'Clown d'Or' (Golden Clown) award. Two of Martin's sons are past award winners for their acts with big cats. Martin is the director of the Great British Circus, the largest animal circus in the UK.
SCHOOL VISITS ANIMAL CIRCUS - About 450 schoolchildren, together with 60 teachers and parents from St. Luke's C.E. Primary School in Bury, Lanes, enjoyed an exclusive circus performance on May 20th. Teacher Stephen Lonsdale lives opposite the field used by Circus Mondao on its annual visit to the town and thought it would a great idea for the school's pupils to visit the show particularly as many of them had never been to a circus. A special morning performance was arranged which included several animal acts as well as human performers.

THREE ANIMAL ACTS were among the winners at the recent Monte Carlo Circus Festival. Martin Lacey Junior became the first British Gold Clown winner in the history of this prestigious event for his act of eleven lions including three white lions. He had already won a Silver Clown (in 2000) as have his mother and brother. His father runs the Great British Circus in the UK. Roland and Petra Duss won a Silver Clown for their sealion act and elephant trainer Sonny Frankello won a Bronze Clown.

DANCING DOG IS B.G.T. FINALIST - Thirteen million viewers watched Chandi the dancing dog waltz into the final of 'Britain's Got Talent'. Tina Humphrey saved the border collie from being put down as a pup and has used 'motivational reward-based training' to teach 12 year old Chandi her amazing routines. The pair have now won countless trophies at Crufts and other top dog shows. Chandi even has her own Facebook page with over 6000 friends. Tina believes all dogs have talent and should be taught tricks to stop them getting bored. She explains "My method involves no punishment. You reward the good and ignore the bad".
PEERAGE FOR 'CLOSE ZOOS' MINISTER - The government minister who made headlines because of her stance on animal rights, lost her seat at the General Election but Angela Smith, formerly MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock has now been elevated to the House of Lords. In January Mrs. Smith was criticised for refusing to attend a function in her capacity as Charities Minister because it was being held at the London Zoo and at Easter she called for all zoos to be closed down. She is a patron of the Captive Animals Protection Society which wants zoos and animal circuses abolished. Before entering parliament she was the Head of Political and Public Relations at the League of Cruel Sports.
NEW POOL IS FLIPPING FANTASTIC - Blackpool Zoo has opened a spectacular new Sea Lion pool as part of a £lm. investment in its Active Oceans exhibit. It is home to a breeding group of eight Sea Lions. Stylish mock rocks and a cascading waterfall make a great background for the daily performances in which the animals balance balls, jump through hoops, clap and do back flips but there are plans to take the shows to the next level - as seen at Sea World in Florida - with the Sea Lions trained to do power dives off the waterfall and do synchronised jumping, in front of a 250-seat glass-walled amphitheatre. The Sea Lion development followed on from the building of a new £400,000 penguin pool and enclosure with an elevated spectator platform and underwater viewing windows. A wallaby walk has also just opened and there are plans to develop the Children's Zoo, elephant and orang-utan houses and a new enclosure for bears.
AWARD FOR BRITISH TRAINER - British animal trainer Alex Lacey has just won a Chapiteau de Cristal and the prize of the Musee du Cirque et de I'Illusion at the Massy International Circus Festival in France for his thrilling group of mixed tigers, lionesses and a lion. He is the brother of Martin Lacey junior who was adjudged the overall winner at this year's Monte Carlo Circus Festival, Owing to their skill and rapport with their animals, these young men are now considered the world's foremost wild animal trainers. Now in its 18th year, the Massy festival is the most important event of its kind in France. It always includes animal acts and this year besides the big cats, liberty horses, camels and elephants from the Circus Charles Knie were featured, shown by Marek Jama. Brilliant photographic coverage of the festival at: www.aucirque.com

THERE ARE PREVIOUS NEWS ITEMS IN OUR NEWS ARCHIVE