18 July 2024 – Locked into tiny transport cages, transported for hours, forced to perform unnatural tricks – this is still the cruel reality of circus animals. Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS has now rescued the last circus lioness from German circus Quaiser.

Five-year-old Manuschka was transferred to the organisation’s TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary. Having rescued more than 20 circus animals in the past ten years, FOUR PAWS urges governments worldwide to ban wild animals in circuses.  

Big cats in circuses  

In circus operations, tigers and lions are among the most frequently carried wild animal species, as they are still easy for circus companies to acquire and also reproduce under poor keeping conditions. The poorly secured keeping in circuses and the training of big cats is particularly problematic, as this also means a high safety risk. Several trainers or uninvolved third parties in circuses in Germany and abroad have been injured or even killed by big cats in the past years. In addition, the animals are sometimes required to perform unnatural movements, such as walking on their hind legs. To imprint them on humans, big cat cubs are also systematically separated from their mothers at a very young age. 

While currently there are no big cats in circuses in Australia, the practice is not banned at state nor federal levels. Nor is there any national welfare standard for circus animals.

This leaves a dangerous window open to future animal suffering in Australia, until the use of wild animals in circuses is legally prohibited.  

Currently, some 40+ Australian local councils have banned wild animal circuses, but nation-wide bans are needed. FOUR PAWS Australia plans to close this gap, and align Australia with the numerous European, Central and South American countries which have banned wild animal circuses.  

Next for lioness Manuschka

“FOUR PAWS welcomes that with Manuschka, circus Quaiser has surrendered their last lion voluntarily and has agreed not to use big cats in the future anymore. The former owner has taken a decision in the best interest of the lioness. Manuschka is now looking towards a bright future at a species appropriate sanctuary. We hope that Manuschka can be socialised and will spend the rest of her life among lions,” says Magdalena Scherk-Trettin, Wild Animal Rescue and Advocacy Senior Project Manager, who accompanied the rescue.  

After being temporarily rehomed to TIERART in Germany, lioness Manushka will be transferred to FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary once the construction of further enclosures is completed. At FELIDA, the experienced team will socialise Manuschka with another lion.  

Missing protection for wild animals 

Among big cats, lions are social animals and live in prides with up to 30 adult animals and their offspring on a territory of several hundred square meters. This stands in stark contrast to the cruel conditions in circuses which cannot meet the natural needs of this species.  

Tips to end animal cruelty in circuses 

To end the suffering of wild animals in circuses, FOUR PAWS asks individuals to: 

• Boycott circuses with wild animals.
• Explain to children why animals suffer in circuses.
• Report to FOUR PAWS if they hear of a circus with poor conditions for animals.

Background 

TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary, which is run by FOUR PAWS in Maßweiler, Germany, provides a species-appropriate home for big cats that were rescued from poor conditions in zoos, circuses or in private captivity. TIERART also houses and cares for numerous native wild animals such as foxes, badgers, wild cats, hares or hedgehogs. Since 2017, TIERART has operated a rescue station for lynx in cooperation with the EU-LIFE-LUCHS project. Many of the native animals that are taken in at TIERART receive medical care and are released back into the wild once recovered. Animals that cannot be released back into the wild and exotic animals like tigers find a permanent, species-appropriate home. 

FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary

 in the Netherlands is one of multiple FOUR PAWS sanctuaries worldwide for rescued wild animals. It functions as a special care facility for physically and mentally traumatised big cats. The big cats that recover from the hardships of their past can be transferred to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa. Animals that need lifelong intensive and special care, stay at FELIDA. Two rescued lions and one tiger are currently living at the sanctuary.