Durban - It’s business as usual for Brian Boswell at the Natal Zoological Gardens, despite the public outcry over the death of six tigers at the tourist attraction south-east of Pietermaritzburg.
Boswell, 73, and the circus his family manages have come under public scrutiny after six tigers escaped from an enclosure last month and were shot.
Boswell, who owns the Brian Boswell Circus, the zoo and the neighbouring Natal Lion Park, said he believed someone had removed the padlocks.
The tigers were tracked and killed by a professional hunter in the presence of a veterinarian.
A placard demonstration was held by the Ban Animal Trading (BAT) group last week outside the zoo.
Speaking to the Daily News at the zoo on Monday, Boswell was reluctant to discuss the tigers because, he said, his family had asked him not to.
He also feared a backlash by BAT activists if he said anything, but warned people to stop spreading malicious lies about the zoo.
Instead, he spoke about the family’s history in the circus business, which dates back to 1752.
“Our intention was not to hurt, harm or injure an animal, but rather give the people a chance to view the animals in their enclosures and the circus.
“Most people cannot afford to travel long distances to view wild animals. For decades the majority of the public paid to watch animals perform in the circus,” he said.
Boswell told the Daily News’ sister title, The Independent on Saturday, that the tigers were shot because of the danger they posed to the public, staff and visitors.
He told The Independent the locks might have been removed by people wanting to steal the tigers or by activists against keeping animals in captivity.
Five cats were shot on Monday, December 7, near the staff quarters.
Three days later, the sixth cat was traced and shot by a hunter in thick bush.
The SPCA and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife are investigating.
Boswell said it would not have been safe to dart the tigers because he did not have the drugs.
The tigers, who were 3 years old, were on their way to the Far East to a zoo which had yet to open to the public.
“It was very unfortunate and we are sorry we did it. Activists are pushing government to dig them up. They can come and dig up rotten meat. People have no idea how dangerous these animals are. If it was in your back yard, you would be screaming,” Boswell said.
Steve Smit of Monkey Helpline, whose other organisation, Animal Rights in Action, staged a protest last week, told The Independent that Boswell not having reported the attempted theft and not going public about six tigers, rather than only one being killed, raised questions. Smit called for an independent inquiry.
Smit disputed Boswell’s idea that activists would go as far as releasing tigers.
“We are not anti-human and we certainly would not release animals into a situation that is not good for them.”
Boswell told the Daily News of his love for tigers, fulfilling his dream of becoming a lion trainer and his favourite sport, fencing.
Two-thirds of the way through treatment for cancer, Boswell said he remained as he always had been in the business: hands on.
He spends his day welcoming guests and overseeing management.
“We work every day of the year. If you have a cow you have to milk it every day. The animals are fed daily.
“We entertain people with disabilities and the poor. We do our share to bring the circus to the man on the street.
“Never take money off a man in a wheelchair, my grandfather used to say,” Boswell said.
He pointed to an enclosure holding a liger (a cross between a male lion and a tigress) and white tiger. It had been built to specifications and was so big visitors complained they could not see the animals.
“People complain they pay money to see them and unintentionally mean they want smaller cages. What do you do? All the cages are built to a specific size. None of the animals are squashed here,” he said.
Boswell asked the Daily Newsphotographer not to sell his pictures to activists who would then have a chance to put up posters – “wanted dead or alive!”
“They want me dead. We have received numerous death threats via the telephone,” he said.
Daily News