Protesters hit out over big cat show as circus comes to Welshpool

The Chipperfield family said it is looking forward to bringing its An Evening with Lions and Tigers show to Welshpool for a 10-day run that begins tomorrow.

The show features three tigers and two lions and the Chipperfields say their event proves how happy and well-looked after their animals are.

But the Born Free Foundation, a group which campaigns against performing animals, said it wanted the show made illegal.

Adam Roberts, chief executive of the group, said: "We are dismayed by this show. In the last two years, the big cats in question have been hauled around the whole of the UK and Ireland for the sole purpose of performing outdated circus tricks for paying audiences.

"In 2010, 95 per cent of respondents to the UK government consultation on this issue demanded a ban.

"A promise was made by Westminster in 2012 that a ban would be introduced in England before the end of 2015 and the Welsh Assembly has suggested that it would support a ban in Wales.

"Just last week, the Scottish government confirmed 98 per cent of respondents to its own consultation wanted an end to wild animal circuses.

"The UK public has spoken, parliamentarians have spoken. For the sake of the animals, there must be no further delay."

But the Chipperfield family said they were helping animals. "Something we aim to do is draw attention to plight of the wild cousins of my animals," said Thomas Chipperfield.

"It is estimated that there are fewer than 4,000 tigers left in the world and I believe by people seeing them and learning about them sparks an interest in protecting them.

"Nothing can compare to seeing these animals in real life and so close up. It creates a whole admiration for the animals and if we can do that and get people on board with wanting to conserve these animals then that's a job well done."

Anthony Beckwith, a show director, added: "There are many misconceptions about the welfare of animals used for entertainment, so what we are doing is taking people behind the scenes demonstrating the methods used in training and explaining how and why we do what we do and why it's an important part of our culture."

The shows will be held at Moat Farm, off the A483 Sarn y Bryn Caled roundabout, on at 6.30pm on weekdays and 2pm at weekends.