Behind the scenes at animal circus

Wu Gang performs with lions and tigers at a circus in Fuzhou Zoo, East China's Fujian province on Nov 2, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Originally from Suzhou, "circus village" of China, Anhui province, the 40-year-old Wu Gang has had 20 years of training animals. He started working for Fuzhou zoo in 1997, spending most of his time training lions, tigers and bears.

According to Wu, fewer young people want to work as animal trainers, and only if they have an animal training family background, because it is a dangerous job.

Anything can happen at a circus show, and quick response is crucial for trainers, Wu said.

"But fierce animals could be obedient if you treat them kindly, love them, and encourage them as often as possible... Like human beings, animals have feelings as well," Wu added.

In recent years, there has been an increase in animal rights activists calling for an end to animal shows in zoos. When the end comes, there would be thousands of trainers losing their jobs, one staff member at Fuzhou Zoo said.

 

Wu Gang trains a bear before a circus performance in Fuzhou Zoo, East China's Fujian province on Nov 2, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

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