Last friday night I went to Stardust Circus in Bathurst. For me the sole reason for going to the circus was for the animals. I do enjoy a circus but three or four come to town every year.
Now I know some people are dead against circuses with animals but it was circuses that actually got me into animals.
I would firstly like to commend Stardust and the ring master for the information provided on the animals during the show. It was the first time I have been to a circus that told you what type of monkeys they were using and a few facts on the lions.
CAN ANYONE TELL ME THE AGES OF STARDUSTS LIONS?
HOWEVER. and this is my own opionion. Others may have a different view.
The lion act wasn't anywhere near as good as ones I have seen in the past. The lions stationed a few times, lay down together (not very smoothly and a little bit forced) and one jumped through a hoop. The act to me just looked like the trainer was pushing the lions in to position a lot.
One lioness was very grumpy (I actually thought she was a desexed male) and had what appeared to be a growth under her eye. Not sure what this was from but she looked very miserable.
The other two however were quite happy, seemed to enjoy the interaction with the handler (the first was a bit aggressive toward him). And were very impressive my nieces and nephews loved it (except for the youngest who burst into tears when the male started roaring). I had heard something about declawing lions at Stardust and haven't been able to find evidence to prove either way but in the light in the circus tent they didn't seem to have claws and the feet looked a little odd. But otherwise the other two looked fairly healthy
The monkeys didn't do too much in the way of performing. All looked very healthy and seemed happy.
The dogs were misbehaving a bit. but still all very good looking border collies.
Horses and ponies were good, not the best judge of this as they did behaviours with theirs that we do with our own, but good for people that don't train and work horses.
The human acts ranged from good to amazing. The teeter board act was great.
The clowns were great. It's the first time I've laughed at circus clowns in years. They had the right mix of jokes for kids while adding a little subtle adult content.
Plus I've never seen a show where they take kids from the circus and throw them around the ring up in the air. It was great.
Even if you are against animal circuses it really was a good night out. The traditional circuses are the ones that need support. I recently read the federal government provided grants to circus oz equal to around $1.5 million. The traditional circuses recieve NOTHING from any external sources. One of the grants was to fund a tour of regional areas (like bathurst) Stardust and other traditionals travel to these towns and smaller (cowra was the previous stop) and rely solely on ticket sales so I don't understand why other circuses need government funding.
If they come by, it is worth a look.
Now I know some people are dead against circuses with animals but it was circuses that actually got me into animals.
I would firstly like to commend Stardust and the ring master for the information provided on the animals during the show. It was the first time I have been to a circus that told you what type of monkeys they were using and a few facts on the lions.
CAN ANYONE TELL ME THE AGES OF STARDUSTS LIONS?
HOWEVER. and this is my own opionion. Others may have a different view.
The lion act wasn't anywhere near as good as ones I have seen in the past. The lions stationed a few times, lay down together (not very smoothly and a little bit forced) and one jumped through a hoop. The act to me just looked like the trainer was pushing the lions in to position a lot.
One lioness was very grumpy (I actually thought she was a desexed male) and had what appeared to be a growth under her eye. Not sure what this was from but she looked very miserable.
The other two however were quite happy, seemed to enjoy the interaction with the handler (the first was a bit aggressive toward him). And were very impressive my nieces and nephews loved it (except for the youngest who burst into tears when the male started roaring). I had heard something about declawing lions at Stardust and haven't been able to find evidence to prove either way but in the light in the circus tent they didn't seem to have claws and the feet looked a little odd. But otherwise the other two looked fairly healthy
The monkeys didn't do too much in the way of performing. All looked very healthy and seemed happy.
The dogs were misbehaving a bit. but still all very good looking border collies.
Horses and ponies were good, not the best judge of this as they did behaviours with theirs that we do with our own, but good for people that don't train and work horses.
The human acts ranged from good to amazing. The teeter board act was great.
The clowns were great. It's the first time I've laughed at circus clowns in years. They had the right mix of jokes for kids while adding a little subtle adult content.
Plus I've never seen a show where they take kids from the circus and throw them around the ring up in the air. It was great.
Even if you are against animal circuses it really was a good night out. The traditional circuses are the ones that need support. I recently read the federal government provided grants to circus oz equal to around $1.5 million. The traditional circuses recieve NOTHING from any external sources. One of the grants was to fund a tour of regional areas (like bathurst) Stardust and other traditionals travel to these towns and smaller (cowra was the previous stop) and rely solely on ticket sales so I don't understand why other circuses need government funding.
If they come by, it is worth a look.
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