Councillor Dawn Crichlow gets up and close and personal with lion in support of circuses

AFTER 23 years working in the circus that is city hall and stand-up fights with five mayors, an 11-month-old lion cub held no fear for Dawn Crichlow.

Cr Dawn Crichlow with Massai the Lion, 11 Months, at Stardust Circus, which is on at Sout

AFTER 23 years working in the circus that is city hall and stand-up fights with five mayors, 11-month-old lion cub Massai held no fears for Dawn Crichlow.

“There’s a nice boy,” Cr Crichlow purred, as she walked inside a cage yesterday at the Stardust Circus at Southport’s Mitchell Park.

The veteran Southport-based councillor has been a strong supporter of the circus as colleagues have voted to boot the travelling entertainers and their animals out of town.

The 50kg jungle cat bared his teeth as he licked the councillor’s glasses.

They enjoyed a cuddle and photograph which could be the last picture postcard on the Coast for the young lion.

Cr Dawn Crichlow with Massai the Lion, 11 Months, at Stardust Circus, which is on at Southport soon. Pic Jono Searle.

“There are a few lions in council but hopping inside the lion cage is much easier to go into than some of our council meetings,” Cr Crichlow said.

“I am never afraid of getting mauled in council meetings, so going into the lion’s cage did not worry me at all.”

“The circus is for everyone, whether you are old like me, or like the young people we have on the Gold Coast.”’

The show opens tomorrow as the council prepares to consider banning circuses with exotic animals from public land.

Stardust Circus ringmaster Adam St James said his lions were well treated.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion but we do not like the lies and mistruths,” he said.

“If anyone has concerns we urge them to come down and take a look for themselves.”

Cr Dawn Crichlow with Massai the Lion, 11 Months, at Stardust Circus, which is on at Southport soon. Pic Jono Searle.