Animal trainers

[peter]

LIONS, TIGERS, FIGHTS AND TRAINERS - IV

j - Clyde Beatty

j1 - Career

Beatty was (co-)author of 'The big cage', 'Facing the big cats' and 'Jungle Performers'. I bought 'Facing the big cats'. I couldn't find the others, but read parts of these books on the internet. I also printed a number of interviews and posts I found on forums. Last but not least, I talked to those who had read his books (trainers mostly).

Beatty (1902-1965) was a big game hunter who later became famous as a trainer. Although he worked with different species, most know him as a lion trainer or a lion 'tamer'. He was famous for his 'fighting act', in which he entered the cage with a whip and a pistol strapped to his side. The act was designed to show his courage and his mastery of the wild beasts, which included lions, tigers, cougars and hyenas. At the height of his fame, the act featured 40 lions and tigers of both sexes. Beatty also was a circus impresario, who owned his own show that later merged with the Cole Bros. Circus to form the Clyde Beatty - Cole Bros. Circus. His 'fighting act' made him the paradigm of a lion 'tamer' for more than one generation (from Answers.com).

One doesn't need to read a lot to conclude that Clyde Beatty was a very active and successful businessman who featured in at least 10 movies. He was easily one of the most famous animal trainers and there's no question that he inspired many, one of these Dave Hoover.  

j2 - Facing the big cats

This book, written by Beatty and E. Anthony, also co-author of 'The big cage', is interesting all the way. Apart from many anecdotes, it has lots of observations on big cats and bears that most probably still hold. My guess is most trainers would agree on most points made. I would recommend it to anyone interested in big cats.

Beatty's intention was not to 'tame' the big cats, but to control them. To an extent, of course, as he knew his 'wild act' appealed to many (Beatty was very aware of the audience). Although aware of the Jekyll-Hide qualities typical for big cats (they can decide to wreck you one moment and show deep and sincere affections mimutes later), he was prepared to accept the consequences. Beatty knew the big cats could not be completely trusted, but he wrote he loved them (pp. 15). Louis Roth agreed. He selected Beatty to work with bears, because he had noticed he loved animals. This was a feeling that could not be faked, he said (pp. 237-238). Reply