A circus entertainer who keeps his big cats in the north east over winter has dismissed new research which suggests that 98% of Scots would support a ban on performing animals.
Entertainer Thomas Chipperfield spoke out after Scottish Government announced the results of its consultation over the future of wild animals in circuses.
Mr Chipperfield has wintered two lions and three tigers at Circus High School near St Combs in preparation for another UK tour season.
His animals had previously been part of Peter Jolly’s Circus and drew hundreds of visitors to the area – but also protests from animal welfare groups.
The Scottish Government launched a consultation last year which sought to gauge the views of the general public on whether or not a ban on wild animal performances would be supported.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead is now considering the “best way forward” for a potetnail ban after more than 2,000 people responded with their views.
Last night, Anthony Beckwith, a spokesman for Mr Chipperfield’s act, said he was not surprised by reaction to the consultation.
He said the response had been inevitable and called for better regulation of the welfare of wild animals who appear in circuses.
Mr Beckwith said: “This is what always happens,” he said.
“This consultation was done over the winter when circuses are closed and many people aren’t even aware that they’re happening. But the animal rights groups are and they vote in high numbers.
“We’re doing shows at the moment and there are protesters. There’s about three of them, but there are hundreds of people inside the tent. That’s what we’ve always said – people vote with their feet. If the British public did not want to see it, then we would be out of business.
“We were in the middle of nowhere and people came in droves to see these animals because they don’t get a chance to see them anywhere else.”
In May, Mr Chipperfield’s attempts to host a show in Crimond featuring his animals were halted when police said they had “no option” but to object to it going ahead because of the short notice they had been given.
Police only received notification of the circus leader’s plans seven days before the show.
An investigator for the Born Free Foundation said he was alarmed by the pen and “beast wagons” at the Circus High School and claimed the animals were not given a break from “circus conditions” after being on the road in the months prior.
Will Travers, president of Born Free, has now called for the Scottish Government to take decisive action following the public’s response.
Mr Lochead said: “The results of this consultation show overwhelming support for a ban on the use of wild animals in traveling circuses on ethical grounds,” Mr Lochhead said.
“As this would require legislation I am now considering the best way forward and will set out our plans shortly.”