Lions and tigers spending winter living at north-east farm

The Lions at the farm

By Joshua King

The arrival of five fearsome big cats has drawn crowds to a north-east farm.

It was revealed yesterday that The Circus High School, near St Combs, Fraserburgh, will play host to two lions and three tigers over the winter.

And while the revelation may have come as a surprise to some, and a shock to some animal rights groups, the arrival of the beasts is not unusual for the site.

The lions prowl their farm cages

The creatures are owned by lion tamer Thomas Chipperfield, whose
 family have trained animals for centuries. Land owner Bobby Russell is also an animal trainer.

When it emerged the circus animals were being kept on the north-east property, some people took to social media to vent their views on animal welfare.

However, last night Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: “To date, we have not received any calls to our animal helpline in relation to these big cats.

“It is for the local authority to ensure the owner has a Dangerous Wild Animals licence and that all health and safety requirements are being met.”

And Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed everything is above board.

Head of protective services and waste management, Ian Robertson, said: “An application for licence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act was submitted to Aberdeenshire Council’s environmental health service and a vet and two officers have visited the premises.

“We are satisfied with the health, welfare and security arrangements in place and the enclosures, which are approved and licensed by DEFRA, will be inspected on a regular basis.”

One of the three tigers staying 

at the farm over the winter

Nevertheless, welfare group Animal Defenders International (ADI) has criticised current legislation which allows wild animals to be kept in captivity for use in circuses.

ADI president Jan Creamer, who is currently leading a mission to rescue big cats and other wild animals from circuses in South America, said, “It is very sad that whilst we are rescuing lions from circuses in Peru and Colombia, having secured bans there, the future for these big cats looks bleak, unless Scotland and England press ahead and ends the unpopular and outdated use of wild animals in circuses.

“It is shameful that we have fallen behind 28 countries who have now taken action to help circus animals.”

Nobody from The Circus High School was available for comment last night.

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