Handling and Husbandry

Trainer/Handler and Animal Interaction

If an act is to change hands, a transfer period must be undertaken in the presence of the old trainer until the new trainer can satisfactorily work the act and gain the animals' confidence.

A trainer or handler must have:

• a commitment to the welfare of the animal(s) under their care [1]
  
  
• a thorough familiarity with the species' behavioural tendencies
  
  
• a thorough familiarity with the species' potential physical capabilities
  
  
• a thorough familiarity with the accepted methods of handling, physically restraining and training the species
  
  
• a basic sense of hygiene, cleanliness and neatness in regard to facilities, equipment and feed
  
  
• basic skills in visually assessing animal demeanour, physical condition, faecal output, feed intake, etc
  
  
• the ability to keep coherent, comprehensive and relevant records of the animals under their care
  
  
• the ability to liaise with the circus management
  
  
• the ability to delegate responsibility appropriately as circumstances warrant
  
  
• the ability to recognise and carry out safe work practices
  
  
• the ability to liaise with the visiting public [2], and
  
  
• the ability and willingness to consult and communicate with veterinarians.

Staff who are going to care for circus animals should be encouraged to upgrade their skills and knowledge by:

• doing one of a number of formal courses dealing specifically with specialised animal care (ie. animal husbandry, zoo keeping, animal ethics) - many of these courses can now be undertaken by correspondence.
  
  
• obtaining regular access to relevant new literature in order to keep abreast of recent developments in animal husbandry.

Interested members of the public should be encouraged to watch training sessions and ask questions. All animal handlers must be prepared to answer reasonable public queries regarding the animals in their care. [3]

Staff caring for circus animals must first undergo work experience on an apprenticeship basis. This shall be undertaken with a person who is experienced in caring for the relevant species.

Staff caring for circus animals should have regular opportunities to visit other circuses, conferences, or personnel to keep abreast of recent developments in animal-keeping.

Each animal act must have two handlers or trainers capable of working the act or exercising the animals. This is to ensure that the absence of one handler or trainer does not cause stress to the animals as a result of being separated from their familiar trainer or handler, coupled with lack of training, performance and exercise.

Big cats

Big cats must have access to wood in their display cages to serve as scratching and marking posts. Round, untreated pine uprights are suitable.

Big cats use trees in their natural habitat, therefore, high perches and places to climb must be provided in their display cages.

Perches should be built of round section wood and should provide at least one fork for an animal to rest in. Folding raised shelving can be used in transport wagons to provide elevated areas for big cats.

Dogs

Because of their long-standing association with humans, dogs get a lot of stimulation from interacting with people. Training also stimulates them to learn new performance behaviours.

As pack animals, dogs are stimulated by interacting with other dogs and therefore, must be housed together wherever possible.

Ungulates and camelids

As herd animals, ungulates and camelids are stimulated by interacting with other members of their own species, and must be housed together where possible. If two individuals in the same enclosure fight or bully, they must be physically but not visually separated.

Elephants

As herd animals, elephants are stimulated by interacting with other elephants. Unless there are compelling reasons, elephants must be housed together. Where two elephants in the same enclosure fight or bully each other, they must be physically but not visually separated.

Because they are intelligent, inquisitive and social, elephants must be given mental stimulation, avenues of play and social contact with people and other elephants. Between shows, they must be given durable objects to play with, provided the objects won't cause them injury.

Monkey and chimpanzees

As primates are highly social animals, it is very important that they derive stimulation from interacting with others of their own species. They must never be housed alone unless aggression between individuals causes a health threat to an animal, in which case the aggressor should be separated temporarily.

Every effort must be made to encourage foraging behaviour by hiding food such as nuts in different areas of the enclosure, including clean substrate.

Birds

Parrots must be provided regularly with natural perches and fresh-leaved branches to chew. Every effort must be made to encourage foraging behaviour by hiding food in different areas of the enclosure. Parrots may also benefit from the presence of play elements in their cages, such as swings and bells.

Domestic waterfowl must be given water to swim in when housed in display enclosures.

Domestic geese should be given access to a grassed area for at least four hours a day.