Lion taming is the taming and training of lions, either for protection or for use in entertainment, such as the circus. The term often applies to the taming and display of lions and other big cats such as tigers, leopards, jaguars, black panthers, cheetahs, and cougars. People often use lion taming as a metaphor for any dangerous activity. Lion taming occurs in zoos around the world to enable the keepers to carry out medical procedures and feedings.
19th-century lithograph of a lion tamer
Circus director and lion tamer Gerd Siemoneit-Barum during a performance in Nordenham, Germany in May 1977
Animal training is the act of teaching animals specific responses to specific conditions or stimuli. Training may be for purposes such as companionship, detection, protection, and entertainment. The type of training an animal receives will vary depending on the training method used, and the purpose for training the animal. For example, a seeing eye dog will be trained to achieve a different goal than a wild animal in a circus.
Early 20th century animal trainer Dolores Vallecita with a leopard.
The Ursar by Theodor Aman, depicting a trainer with a muzzled bear
Morphy, an orangutan with his toy, a horse, on a walk with his keeper in a traveling circus.
A trained dog competing in dog agility.
