Page 23 - All About History - Issue 26-15

Animals & Man

4 FAMOUS…
How not to… perform big cat magic
Siegfried and Roy were illusionists with a celebrated Las Vegas show LION TAMERS
involving several big cats. It had been running for many years at the Mirage
hotel-casino, but on 3 October 2003, as Roy brought a male white tiger ISAACVAN
named Montecore on stage, something went wrong. The seven-year-old,
raised from a cub by the pair and a veteran performer, unexpectedly lay AMBURGH
down. Some observers believe he was distracted by the beehive hairdo of
an audience member. Roy moved to position himself between tiger and 1811-65 UNITED STATES
audience – there was no physical auditorium barrier – but apparently fell. The first wild animal trainer of
Without warning, Montecore sank his teeth into Roy’s neck, dragging him modern times, Van Amburgh may
off stage. Roy suffered a crushed windpipe and an artery carrying blood haveperformedthefirst‘head
to his brain was damaged, leaving the magician partially paralysed. Roy inthelion’smouth’feat.Hewas
maintained Montecore was only seeking to protect him, but the inherent notorious for brutal training.
dangers of working with big cats was never more starkly illustrated.

CLYDEBEATTY
1903-65 UNITEDSTATES
Beatty performed his ‘fighting
act’ of ‘taming’ big cats to great
effect, often facing them in their
cagewithachair.

Strengthen the bond Down to business
Invest time in building the relationship with the cats When the cats are ready, it’s largely about operant
03 you work with as they grow. Up to the age of about eight 04 conditioning. This concept of behavioural psychology
months, lion cubs are like children – they basically just want to allows trainers to teach animals to connect an action with a IRINABUGRIMOVA
play. Yet while formal training isn’t really possible at this stage, signal. When an animal behaves in a desired manner, give them
time spent with them so that you can start getting a handle on positive reinforcement (usually food). Rewarding seemingly 1910-2001 SOVIET UNION
their characters is invaluable. random behaviour increases the chances of it happening again. Thefirstfemaleliontameratthe
Moscow State Circus, Bugrimova
innovated many new tricks,
including motorcycling with a lion.

THOMAS
CHIPPERFIELD
1990-PRESENT BRITAIN
Currently the UK’s only active lion
tamer, Chipperfield’s family has
worked with animals and circuses
for more than 300 years.
Refinement The ultimate in trust
Constant work, patience and persistence will help hone Over time and after years of dedicated work, when you can
05your link with your animal. Positive reinforcement will 06read every nuance of behaviour that your animals show,
encourage your cat to react to your guider tip. Trace a circle you will be the alpha in their presence, but one who exerts neither
© Ed Crooks; Alamy; Corbis
on the ground with it and as your cat follows, they will turn in weak control nor threatening dominance. In such a zone, you are in
a circle. Reward! Next, classical conditioning will help the cat position to attempt the trainer’s pre-eminent party-piece – placing
associate tricks with your actions, such as clicking your fingers. your head in a lion’s mouth. Good luck!

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