You might say Graham Thomas Chipperfield has sawdust in his blood: members of his family have been circus performers since 1684! He himself grew up with the three elephants he uses in his act; in fact, the pachyderms are older than he is. Chipperfield works for the Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey Circus (figure A). In addition to his elephant act, he works as a lion tamer (actually a misnomer, he explains, as one doesn't really tame lions). The lions with which he works are part of a pride that has been in his family for four generations, and like the elephants, they are as dear to him as any pets. Through his lifelong association with wild animals, Chipperfield has learned that they must be observed and allowed to do what comes naturally. Lions, for instance, will challenge him, although they're actually quite affectionate (figure B). His lion act is of the type called an "attack act," because in it the cats seem to be attacking him. Actually, though, they are carefully trained to respond to cues. Chipperfield chooses cubs for his act that growl a lot and act fierce. He trains them to them to follow the end of a stick, using a system of vocal and food rewards. And he always remembers that they are wild animals that will never be tamed. He treats them with affection and respect, and they respond in kind.
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