Australia's Young Gun--'Steve Lavis

CUDDLING lions is part of the job for Steve Lavis.

Tonight, Steve and the rest of the Lennon Bros Circus will perform at the Ballina Outdoor Entertainment Centre from 7pm, with all gate-takings going to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

Mr Lavis 'ran away with the circus' at age 10, and has trained lions, geese, monkeys, horses, dogs and alpacas.

Now 35, he is used to copping criticism for training lions.

“A lot of people get the wrong ideas,” he said..

“It's a lot more hands-on now. You're in there playing and wrestling with the lions.”

His lions are 'the 27th generation to be born and bred in Australia'.

“It's cruel to capture a lion from the wild and lock it away. Our lions were born in this enclosure and it's all they know,” he said.

Louise Hunter, of the Animal Rights and Rescue Group, disagrees.

“It's barbaric to keep wild animals in cages,” she said. “Even if they're bred in captivity they're still wild animals at heart and want to be free.”

She said forcing animals to perform was worse. “They shouldn't be made to perform for a group of people; how would they feel if we performed for them?”

However, Mr Lavis is close to his lions - Kovu, Kiara and Maizey.

“You have to spend a lot of time with them,” he said.

Mr Lavis said the lions 'love the public'.

“It takes time to get the animals used to crowds, and the public is welcome to see them,” he said.

Local rules

Byron: Circuses can operate on council-controlled land, except when they include the use or display of exotic, wild or native Australian animals. For private land, the circus must comply with relevant legislation and hold relevant insurance and licences. The circus must have certification by the RSPCA to ensure prevention of cruelty to the animals.

Lismore: The circus must submit a development application, assessed by staff regarding the use of the land. There is no policy for animals or acts, but the RSPCA is responsible for care standards.

Richmond Valley: The circus must submit a development application, but there are no specific policies regarding circuses or acts performed.

Ballina: There are no policies for acts or animals in circuses, but there are for hiring grounds for circus use.