Sea lion trainer Harry Schmitz was severely bitten by 1 of his charges after a performance in Ventnor some 90 years ago.
It was on 3rd September 1933 that 2 sea lions were fighting in their tank at feeding time. Mr Schmidt attempted to separate them and while doing so, ‘Charlie’ – the largest of the pair – bit him in the face, lacerating his upper lip and cheek.
Schmidt’s injuries were attended to at The Royal National Hospital in Ventnor. The trainer insisted on carrying out the evening performance despite suffering severe pain from his wounds, which required 10 stitches.
The following day, the trainer performed with a heavily bandaged face. It was thought his wounds would take some time to heal. The Isle of Wight Mercury reported appreciation among the audience for the trainer’s courage.
A ban on using wild animals in travelling circuses came into force in England and Wales in 2020. Today, there are no wild animals performing in UK circuses.
ban on using wild animals in travelling circuses came into force in England and Wales in 2020.
good and not before time -all creatures should be in their natural habitats, living their lives in the way that nature intended, not stuck in some pet shop, then transferred to a cage in someones house, just to appease some humans desire to have a little lifeform imprisoned and dependent on them.
creatures have rights
Vey well said.
There all in paliment and house of windsor
A ban? So a sea lion is a family pet right lol its wild…let it go ffs
Total exploitation of animals in those days. Keeping animals in a circus and making them perform tricks for the paying public is totally wrong.
Glad it has been banned in the UK