Little circus performer and his pet lion cub Tsimbi

Someone has a pet cat Barsik, but a boy named Braxton West Smith has a “little” lion cub. This three-year-old boy is part of the youngest generation of Australian circus performers and tiger and lion tamers. His best friend is an African lion cub named Tsimbi, who will one day take his place under the dome of the largest circus in the country.

(Total 9 photos)

1. Stardust is Australia's largest circus, where the use of animals is under constant supervision.

2. This circus travels all over the country - from tiny villages to coastal resorts. Circus performers carry many animals with them, including lions, monkeys, horses and ponies. Representatives of the circus insist that they use only the most "humane" methods for training animals.

3. “We train our animals using the “carrot” method, and they are considered members of our big family,” the circus website says. As you can see in these photos, baby animals are treated the same as children.

4. Zimbi has breakfast and plays with his young trainers. They study together, and at the end of a long day at work, they relax together.

5. But how long such an existence will continue is unknown, because. in Australia, objections to circuses are growing every day.

6. For example, the other day 30 animal rights activists came to the circus in Dingley Village, Victoria. And the total number of such groups is growing every day. Circus regulations vary from state to state, with most requiring a permit to own an animal.

7. However, an Australian Animal Rights Club forum says that all animals are treated very well at Stardust Circus.

8. All animals are fed and watered, and their enclosures are always cleaned and quite spacious.

9. But little Braxton doesn't care about that yet. All he wants is to follow in the footsteps of his parents. “When I grow up, I think I will train goats like my dad,” he says. Although his dad trains most of the animals at Stardust Circus. And his mother performs with a pony, as well as on the trapeze.