Don’t talk about giving orders, just not being eaten alive by them is already a miracle.
When it comes to taming lions, you probably think of circus performers mingling with all kinds of performances with the lion: jumping around, climbing ladders, and even putting their heads in their mouths. If you’ve ever witnessed it, you must have had the hairs on your neck before the performances next to this extremely ferocious companion, because obviously, the danger of turning into food in their mouths is always present. So what is the secret of the lion tamer? And have they encountered any catastrophic incidents? Let’s read on for the answer.
An artist is taming a lion.
The first circus appeared in the United States in 1783. At this time, most of the animal circus acts were only at the level of… exhibitions. Similar to zoos today, in circuses, most animals are kept in cages and spectators have to pay just to see them with their own eyes.
When the first lion tamer appeared and bravely stepped next to this most dangerous animal, the performances with the lion became the most attractive ones. Lion tamer artists, in fancy suits, step onto the stage and show the audience what it’s like to be superior to humans over animals, even if it’s the lord of the jungle. again. And how did they do it?
The technique of taming lions has changed a lot over the years.
The technique of taming lions has changed a lot over the years. The first lion tamer, Henri Martin , used a gradual approach to befriending them. At first, he came into contact with them from outside the cage, then, as they became more accustomed to his presence, he slowly began to enter the cage with them. For safety, he was always separated from them behind bars. By slowly closing such a distance, the lions gradually got used to his appearance.
This style of coaching became obsolete when Isaac Van Amburgh appeared. He used rather violent methods to control the lions. And then came Clyde Beatty , almost a century later, when whips, guns, and new chairs were trendy touches.
Today, lion taming techniques are more humane and, as a result, guns and whips have been largely left out of the game. The tactic of using fear to create discipline is now obsolete. Most lion tamers today combine the use of repetition exercises and motivational elements to gradually win the lions’ trust. A few tamers also use whips – but only to separate them from the lions.
Today, chairs and whips are almost out of the game.
Once they have trust and respect, they can teach the lion to perform in a certain pattern, in exchange for food and words of encouragement. Usually, the lion trainer will raise the lion from an early age, and through that, they become closer and closer to the lions as they grow up.
Most animal circus artists train animals on the basis of classical conditioning theory . Classical conditioning, the theory of psychologist BF Skinner, is a fundamental concept in behavioral psychology, based on the formation of conditioned reflexes.
Using this theory, tamers teach animals to behave based on their cues, then reward them if the animal does the right thing. Whenever they do what the trainer wants – or even just approximate – the trainer gets a reward (usually the use of food). Positive reinforcement of a behavior increases the likelihood that it will happen again.
The circus or the barn is not the natural habitat of the king of the jungle.
Try the following example: You are a lion trainer, and you want the lion to jump through a circle when you give the signal. Using the theory of conditioning, you will reward your lion whenever it moves closer to the ring. Some trainers use a fixed goal to help shape this behavior. Whenever the lion touches the target with its nose, it will receive a reward. After that, you will start moving the target in a circle, to ensure that the lion always follows the target. As a result, the lion will move, or act according to your will.
The circus or the barn is not the natural habitat of the king of the jungle. Don’t expect absolute safety when you catch a lion, instead of roaming the vast grasslands of Africa, now have to shrug and do whatever you want. Most animal rights groups argue that attacks occur when animals are agitated and out of control.
Wild animals have different needs in terms of diet, environment, living conditions and climate. However, in a circus, all animals are kept in the same environment. So it’s no surprise that one day, an animal suddenly loses control and attacks humanity.
Taming a lion is always one of the most awaited shows.
Most animal rights organizations support the use of humane training techniques, but some activist groups argue that behind the scenes, animal cruelty is inevitable. from. As a result, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) signed the Animal Welfare Act into law in 1966, and they also regularly check compliance with the act at all circuses, zoos, and nests other animal management. All reports of violations are publicly available on this organization’s website.
Anyway, taming a lion is always one of the most awaited shows. It is difficult to know why, is it because they satisfy the human desire to master and control everything, or because of the excitement that comes from the dangers of facing the most violent animals? Just know that, as long as those desires exist, perhaps the lion circus will be difficult to get rid of.