Martin Lacey
Martin Lacey (born 1942) is a circus ringmaster, company director and trainer of wild animals. He trained most of the tigers that were used in the Esso television advertisements in the 1970s[1][2]
Professional life
He has been breeding and training animals including lions, tigers and elephants for over forty years. He is a Government Registered Wild Animal Trainer.[3]
In his heyday he appeared in UK television variety shows and was known as the “King Of The Cage”[4] and "the Man Fear Forgot".[5] He provided most of the tigers used in the Esso oil television advertisements up until the 1970s.[6] However, changes in public attitudes to performing animals mean that he has faced criticism in recent years.
A book detailing his life was published in 2009: My Life With Lions.[7]
Companies
He is the owner of the Great British Circus company that, unusually for the UK, organises circuses with live wild animals including tigers, camels and elephants. He is also a director of Linctrek Ltd, a company which provides trained animals for films, television, commercials and zoos.[8]
Use of wild animals
His use of wild animals has attracted considerable criticism and protests.[9][10][11] However, he defends his company's approach as follows: "The Circus takes veterinary advice from world-respected experts, not from campaign groups who too often seek to excite public sympathy in their quest for donations and support.".[12]
BBC investigation into links with Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
In October 2009 it was claimed by the
Personal life
He lives at
References
- ^ "April 2006".
- ^ a b Wainwright, Martin (2001-02-07). "'Nip' from tiger puts trainer in hospital". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
- ^ "The show will go on". www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Circus and animals". www.deabirkett.com.
- ^ https://manchesterhistory.net/bellevue/circus/lion.jpg [bare URL image file]
- ^ Keal Cotes
- ISBN 978-1-872904-47-4.
- ^ http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/homepage/Protest-outiside-North-Somerset-zoo-circus-breeding-claims/article-1438604-detail/article.html[dead link]
- ^ "Animal rights protest is planned outside circus tent". Gazette. 27 July 2009.
- ^ "Great British Circus Demo - Hull : Veggies Animal Rights Calendar". www.veggies.org.uk.
- ^ "Yahoo | Mail, Weather, Search, Politics, News, Finance, Sports & Videos".
- ^ "Home". greatbritishcircus.co.uk.
- ^ "CAPS expose zoo breeding tigers for circus owner". The Captive Animals' Protection Society. October 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-10-28. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
- ^ "Recent Press Coverage". Noah's Ark Zoo Farm. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
- ^ "Big Cats: Escapes, Killings and Maulings: December 2005". Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
- ^ de:Martin Lacey jr
- ^ "Circus Zoological Society - Home Page". Archived from the original on 2009-09-29. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
- ^ "Billi Smiles Circus". www.billismilescircus.com. Archived from the original on 2013-06-11.