Craig Busch - 'Lion Man' - UK Tour?

[naja-naja]

the other thing we have to consider is that allthough zoo enclousures usually look good, that is for the visitors, if you went and saw a private collection of exotic cats, they would be in much different cages that, altho they may not look snazzy, would provide for all of the animals needs. (water shelter, space and enrichment in the form of toys or a companion)

[Reptiledan]

Originally Posted by Skyespirit86

and i bet all your animals have huge naturalistic enclosures dont they?i think they look spacious enough and the animals look well. it is satisfactory to very good in my opinion, not stunning, but good.

Totally agree

[bothrops]

Originally Posted by naja-naja

declawing is also routine with these animals, most people would be familiar with the archiac system that requires 3weeks rehab afterward, the new method (i.e. first used in the '90's) uses lasersurgery and the kitten is up and running around that day, and removing them to imprint them is part and parcel of taming them (if he didn't he wouldn't be able to enter the cage)

I absolutely and vehemently disagree with the assumption that declawing is 'routine'. It is a barbaric mutilation that severely impinges on the welfare of the cat leading to crippling arthritis and countless behavioural issues in later life. All so he can go in for a cuddle in safety? give me a break!


As for your second point, I'm a little confused? Either he is breeding for conservation and should be attempting to keep them as wild as possible ready for their eventual release....or he is keeping them as circus performers.

Either way has many pros and cons but they are mutually exclusive he is either for conservation or for 'look at me, I'm in a cage with a whole lion family, riding on the males back - aren't I cool?'.......

[gazz]

Originally Posted by naja-naja

well, white tigers are a rare mutation and he is trying to conserve that, there are less then 300 white tigers in captivity

Yes but if all white tigers died out that not a big loss coz as long as the species exist it can be thrown out by the species again.

There are only around 300 Asian lions in the wild and when there gone there gone.This is where Conservation should be going.Conservation is for species not mutations.

[jc_reptiles]

Im so glad someone else picked up on the great article Peter Dickinson wrote on this excuse for a conservationist.

white tigers and lions need about as much conservation work as royal morphs do. Why reproduce aniamls with a genetic defect in order to safe a species?

[Jczreptiles]

Originally Posted by bothrops

I absolutely and vehemently disagree with the assumption that declawing is 'routine'. It is a barbaric mutilation that severely impinges on the welfare of the cat leading to crippling arthritis and countless behavioural issues in later life. All so he can go in for a cuddle in safety? give me a break!


As for your second point, I'm a little confused? Either he is breeding for conservation and should be attempting to keep them as wild as possible ready for their eventual release....or he is keeping them as circus performers.

Either way has many pros and cons but they are mutually exclusive he is either for conservation or for 'look at me, I'm in a cage with a whole lion family, riding on the males back - aren't I cool?'.......

And what is your evidence for the amputation actualy taking place in the first place? Because either the link that explains the operation is wrong or your wrong for saying that it happens! I have looked at every picture I could find of his big cats and they all have all of their toes which in the link you provided says they would not have with that operation. So on your point 'i'm confused'!

[Fixx]

Originally Posted by Jczreptiles

And what is your evidence for the amputation actualy taking place in the first place? Because either the link that explains the operation is wrong or your wrong for saying that it happens! I have looked at every picture I could find of his big cats and they all have all of their toes which in the link you provided says they would not have with that operation. So on your point 'i'm confused'!

De-clawing is not amputation of the toes, it is removal of the animals retractable claws.

[Jczreptiles]

Originally Posted by Fixx

De-clawing is not amputation of the toes, it is removal of the animals retractable claws.

Have a look at the link that was so kindly provided by the OP Craig Busch and Zion Wildlife Gardens it shows the amputation line.

[Fixx]

Originally Posted by Jczreptiles

Have a look at the link that was so kindly provided by the OP Craig Busch and Zion Wildlife Gardens it shows the amputation line.

Ahh in that case please accept my apologies, I was merely going on the part you quoted.

[Jczreptiles]

Originally Posted by Fixx

Ahh in that case please accept my apologies, I was merely going on the part you quoted.

That could be wrong mind, either that or the fact that they were amputated in the first place is not true.