Alexander Lacey

Highlights:  

  ·         The Lacey family has raised more than 11 generations of lions and nine generations of tigers and continues to develop methods to maintain the integrity of the various bloodlines within the cats’ lineages.  

  ·         Alexander Lacey communicates with the cats in English and German. Each of his cats has its own unique behaviors, characteristics, body type and even sounds. Alexander knows each cat so well that he can identify the cats by listening to their roars. 

 ·         Alexander has earned numerous awards and accolades, including “Best of the Best” at the Circus Festival in Monte Carlo, Silver Clown award in Monaco, and the Chapiteau de Crystal Award in France. 

Alexander Lacey  

  Big Cats Trainer and Presenter  

Making his American debut with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® Presents DRAGONS, Alexander Lacey, along with his assembly of big cats that includes lions and tigers, will perform for the first time in the United States.                            

Originally from Nottingham, England, Alexander is the oldest of three sons. He grew up learning about big cat husbandry while his father, Martin, was a zoo and circus director and his mother, Susan, traveled the world and presented a mixed act of tigers and leopards. The family has raised more than 11 generations of lions and nine generations of tigers and continues to develop methods to maintain the integrity of the various bloodlines within the cats’ lineages. Big cat husbandry and presentation continues to be a family affair. His father still performs and Alexander’s younger sister, Natasha, and younger brother, Martin Jr., work in Germany with Circus Krone. 

Education was very important to the Lacey family. At age 11, Alexander left Nottingham to attend school in Lincolnshire, England. He was always counting the days until the next holidays. “I couldn’t wait to come home to the circus and help with the animals – especially the big cats,” Alexander reflects.  

After graduation, he began his professional career at his father’s circus and built his first cat presentation with lions and tigers. A few years later, at age 21, Alexander took his big cat act on the road. While spending his entire life around big cats, he not only grew up with the regal animals, but he also developed a true passion and love for them which became his career path.  

While presenting his cats in Ireland, Alexander couldn’t take his eyes off a dazzling trapeze artist, Elaine, the daughter of the show’s director. They have been together ever since and now Elaine and their daughter Katrina both help Alexander with his cat act. 

Before coming to America, Alexander spent the last several years touring with his big cats throughout Europe, including France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Belgium. He has earned numerous awards and accolades, including “Best of the Best” at the Circus Festival in Monte Carlo, Silver Clown award in Monaco, and the Chapiteau de Crystal Award in France. 

Alexander’s typical day starts at 6:30 a.m., when he waters and prepares the cats for act practice. He observes each cat and watches for their natural characteristics and then incorporates their behaviors into the act for the show. Once practice is over, it’s time to eat! Each cat consumes around eight to 16 pounds of meat daily. By 10:00 a.m., it’s time to clean up, get another round of drinks and play! The cats love to play with branches, balls and water basins. During the evening, the younger cats practice. Right before bed time, each cat gets a serving of warm milk and liver oil, which keeps their coats healthy and shiny. 

Alexander communicates with the cats in English and German. Each of his cats has its own unique behaviors, characteristics, body type and even sounds. Alexander knows each cat so well that he can identify the cats by listening to their roars. 

Not only do the cats have distinct physical differences, but their personalities are unique also. “The lions, Goldy, Princess and Marley love to play in the water. Goldy is also mischievous and Marley is more aggressive. Mariah, the tiger, likes to have her own space,” Alexander adds. 

“Along with their mothers, we’ve helped raise them since birth. These cats are truly a part of my family,” Alexander attests. “Our family dog, Timber, feels the same way. He plays along with them when he’s not looking after them.” 

To train these cats,” Alexander says, “is the most rewarding thing for me. I hope I can continue to do so for many, many years to come.”