Martin Lacey
Encyclopedia
Martin Lacey is a circus ringmaster, company director and trainer of wild animals. He trained most of the tigers that were used in the Esso
television advertisements in the 1970s
In his heyday he appeared in UK television variety shows and was known as the “King Of The Cage” and "the Man Fear Forgot". He provided most of the animals used in the Esso
television advertisements of the 1970s. However, changes in public attitudes to performing animals mean that he has faced criticism in recent years.
company that, unusually for the UK, organises circuses with live wild animals including tigers, camels and elephants. He is also a director of Linctrek Ltd, a company which provides trained animals for film, collections and television.
and the Captive Animals Protection Society
that many of the animals at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
near Bristol, including tiger
s and camel
s are owned by Lacey’s Great British Circus
company, and the owners had been keeping the arrangement secret from visitors and from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums
(BIAZA). The zoo denied the claims, stating "We do not hold Circus Tigers here at the Zoo. Our tigers come from Linctrek Ltd based in North West England and do not belong to the Great British Circus, contrary to claims made. One of the directors of this Private Collection (Matin Lacey) is also the Owner of the GB Circus."
in Lincolnshire. His wife Susan, also a circus performer and animal trainer, is now retired. He has three sons, Alex Lacey and Martin Lacey, Jr.
who are animal trainers, and Richard, who does not work in the circus industry.
Esso
Esso is an international trade name for ExxonMobil and its related companies. Pronounced , it is derived from the initials of the pre-1911 Standard Oil, and as such became the focus of much litigation and regulatory restriction in the United States. In 1972, it was largely replaced in the U.S. by...
television advertisements in the 1970s
Professional life
He has been breeding and training animals including lions, tigers and elephants for over forty years. He is a Government Registered Wild Animal Trainer.In his heyday he appeared in UK television variety shows and was known as the “King Of The Cage” and "the Man Fear Forgot". He provided most of the animals used in the Esso
Esso
Esso is an international trade name for ExxonMobil and its related companies. Pronounced , it is derived from the initials of the pre-1911 Standard Oil, and as such became the focus of much litigation and regulatory restriction in the United States. In 1972, it was largely replaced in the U.S. by...
television advertisements of the 1970s. However, changes in public attitudes to performing animals mean that he has faced criticism in recent years.
Companies
He is the owner of the Great British CircusGreat British Circus
Great British Circus Ltd is a company that specialises in circus entertainment. Unusually for a UK-based circus company it includes live animals such as tigers, camels horses and ponies in its acts.-Use of wild animals:...
company that, unusually for the UK, organises circuses with live wild animals including tigers, camels and elephants. He is also a director of Linctrek Ltd, a company which provides trained animals for film, collections and television.
Use of wild animals
His use of wild animals has attracted considerable criticism and protests. However, he defends his company's approach as follows: "The Circus takes veterinary advice from world-respected experts, not from campaign groups who too often seek to excite public sympathy in their quest for donations and support.".BBC investigation into links with Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
In October 2009 it was revealed by the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and the Captive Animals Protection Society
Captive Animals Protection Society
The Captive Animals' Protection Society is a UK charity campaigning to end the use of animals in entertainment, including circuses, zoos, the exotic pet trade and the audio-visual industry.-History:...
that many of the animals at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is a tourist attraction—a zoo and entertainment centre based around a working farm—in Wraxall, North Somerset, about from Bristol, England. The zoo has won several national awards, including 'Silver' in the Green Tourism Business Scheme and the 'Learning Outside the...
near Bristol, including tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
s and camel
Camel
A camel is an even-toed ungulate within the genus Camelus, bearing distinctive fatty deposits known as humps on its back. There are two species of camels: the dromedary or Arabian camel has a single hump, and the bactrian has two humps. Dromedaries are native to the dry desert areas of West Asia,...
s are owned by Lacey’s Great British Circus
Great British Circus
Great British Circus Ltd is a company that specialises in circus entertainment. Unusually for a UK-based circus company it includes live animals such as tigers, camels horses and ponies in its acts.-Use of wild animals:...
company, and the owners had been keeping the arrangement secret from visitors and from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums
British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a conservation, education and scientific wildlife charity. Founded in 1966 within the zoo and aquarium community to see the principles and practices of animal management adopted in the British Isles...
(BIAZA). The zoo denied the claims, stating "We do not hold Circus Tigers here at the Zoo. Our tigers come from Linctrek Ltd based in North West England and do not belong to the Great British Circus, contrary to claims made. One of the directors of this Private Collection (Matin Lacey) is also the Owner of the GB Circus."
Personal life
He lives at Keal CotesKeal Cotes
Keal Cotes, forming part of West Keal parish, is a small linear village in the English county of Lincolnshire located on the A16 road one mile south of West Keal and one mile north of Stickford...
in Lincolnshire. His wife Susan, also a circus performer and animal trainer, is now retired. He has three sons, Alex Lacey and Martin Lacey, Jr.
Martin Lacey, Jr.
Martin Lacey, Jr. is an award-winning English circus performer and trainer of wild animals who has achieved fame in Germany. He is the son of Martin Lacey, the circus ringmaster and animal trainer who bred most of the tigers used in the Esso television advertisements in the 1970s.-Professional...
who are animal trainers, and Richard, who does not work in the circus industry.
External links
- http://www.greatbritishcircus.co.uk/