A north-east MSP has urged the Scottish Government to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses.
Kevin Stewart urged ministers to be “much more progressive” and follow the lead of more than two dozen countries where bans are in force.
It follows the wintering of two lions and three tigers at the Circus High School, near St Combs, Fraserburgh.
The big cats are owned by lion tamer Thomas Chipperfield whose family have trained wild animals for centuries.
Mr Stewart, SNP MSP for Central Aberdeen, said he was “shocked” to hear the animals were being wintered in “small cages” at St Combs.
“Aberdeenshire Council claims that everything is above board and I have no reason to doubt that,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the legislation that we have on such matters is outdated.”
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said his officials were pouring over 2,000 responses to proposals to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses on ethical grounds.
He said he shared Mr Stewart’s sentiments and the government had been in close contact with Aberdeenshire Council which was responsible for ensuring the animal welfare and public safety needs were met and that the required licence under the Dangerous and Wild Animals Act was in place.
Mr Lochhead said the government was looking closely at “events elsewhere in the UK”, specifically a private members bill in the Commons.
He said: “I want Scotland to be progressive. The fact that we are considering introducing legislation to deal with the use of wild animals in circuses on ethical grounds means that we must clarify the legal route for doing so.”
Mid Scotland and Fife Labour MSP Claire Baker said the banning of wild animals in circuses would not necessarily address the issue of overwintering.
Mr Lochhead replied that was an issue that had exercised his mind and that of his officials.
“The issue of animals that could potentially be used for circuses in the future is one that arises,” he said.
“As Kevin Stewart says, if the use of wild animals in circuses had been outlawed, the present situation might not have arisen in the first place. We must balance such considerations. I will certainly have a look at all the regulations.”
Afterwards Mr Stewart said: “I recognise that the government is looking closely at the issue and that a ban on wild animals in circuses is being considered, but I do feel that action needs to be taken quickly to halt the use of wild animals in circuses.
“Lions and tigers aren’t native to Scotland or to cages and certainly aren’t suited to spending a winter in the north-east confined to a cramped cage.
“Like the cabinet secretary, I too want Scotland to be progressive and ensure we get the appropriate legislation in place to stop this from happening again.”