The Brian Boswell is using animals for profit in a way that is not in any way for the animals' benefit. The industry is sick and inhumane. Below is taken from a post from Ban Animal Trading South Africa Facebook page, and outlines some of the awful conditions and treatment of the animals, and in particular a recent incident of an escaped circus Tiger who was shot and killed. We need help to get this circus forever closed down and get the animals rehabilitated.

"According to news reports, the Tiger that escaped the Natal Zoological Gardens and Lion Park at Umlaas Road, Pietermaritzburg, on Tuesday, has been killed.

Owner Brian Boswell, who also owns the controversial Brian Boswell's Circus, says that the animal escaped on Tuesday. "We were notified yesterday [Wednesday]. It has since been killed," he said.

Their website states that “The animals are an integral part of the circus and are treated as part of the family.” and also “We spend far more time with our animals than the average working person is able to spend with their pets.”

To date, investigations by the NSPCA of cruelty and inadequate care at this facility have amounted to little more than warnings issued, and minor superficial improvements being made.
Attempts by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to impose stricter permit regulations in 2009 were dismissed in court on legal technicalities.
Their report included the following concerns :-
Findings of alleged maltreatment of animals by Ezemvelo at Natal Zoological Gardens and Lion Park (both owned by Brian Boswell) in November 2008 were:
- Chimpanzee Charles’s four canine teeth were broken off as a result of the application of blunt force such as a side cutter. A vet said it could have been accidental but would have caused chronic pain. Canines of male performing chimpanzees are often removed to prevent injury to their handler or the public, but should be surgically removed.
- Charles and Jessica were both kept separately in small night cages behind the main chimpanzee enclosure. They had no access to water, and no view of the outside world.
- A video clip showed the chimps drinking water from a can “as if not knowing when they would get water again”.
- Jessica was in an “emaciated” state.
- Chimps’ cages were 1,5 m wide and appeared less than two metres deep.
- Billy, the “advertisement” chimp, was kept in isolation to prevent him socialising with his species to make him more pliable and easier to train. He couldn’t see another living being.
Primates are highly sociable and keeping them in isolation is “inhumane and cruel”.
- 67 lions were overcrowded.
- They were rotated between the lion enclosure and concrete cages, the floors of which were wet and covered in urine. This system was allegedly described as a “timeshare” system. The cages were even used during the day because there were too many lions.
International norms require lions have raised areas as lookouts where they can escape muddy conditions underfoot.
- Four cheetahs were in an enclosure five metres by 17 metres, which was bare save for one log.
- Two cheetah were in cages on the patio of a house on the zoo premises.
- Of the 10 elephants — six African and four Asian — the four Asian elephants were seen chained by their feet at night without access to water, but were given a bale of hay.
- A small elephant was found alone and isolated at night. He was allegedly held like that for 16 hours a day.

Charles and Jessica were sent to Jane Goodall’s Chimp Eden in 2009.
From Chimp Eden's page :-
“When he became too large and dangerous to handle, he was locked in a small cage in a dark room. He stayed in solitary confinement for several years. During this time, he appears to have been severely physically abused. When Charles arrived, he was mentally in a very bad state and was also badly malnourished. He had plucked a lot of his fur, especially around his face and arms. Charles was a very depressed animal, who did not trust humans, when he arrived at the sanctuary in 2009.
Since his arrival at the sanctuary, Charles has snapped out of his depression and now eats very well. He has found his voice again and delivers impressive displays as the alpha male of his group. As they have known one another for many years, Charles and Jessica have a close bond. Charles shows very good social behaviour and is gentle but assertive with the infants.”

In 2008, reports surfaced of visitors vehicles being attacked and damaged by Lions in the park, on two separate occasions.

In May 2013, the Elephants, Lions, and Tigers were sent home from the circus after footage was aired on Carte Blanche of alleged abuse of the Elephants by their handlers, and charges were laid by the NSPCA. At the time it was claimed that the weather in Gauteng was too cold, and the wild animals were always sent home in winter. These animals were not returned to performing, however, no official statement has ever been made. At the time, it was claimed that 30 Elephants were resident at the Natal Zoological Gardens.

In 2014, a report surfaced of a Liger (cross Tiger and Lion) of unknown origin at this zoo.

At this stage, no further details are available on the killing of the Tiger this week.
We are outraged over the continued reports of abuse, cruelty and neglect of the performing animals housed at this zoo and in this circus, and the lack of appropriate action and protection afforded them under the Animal Protection Act, and the Performing Animals Protection Act (currently under review). It is evident that the legislation currently in place affords animals exploited in the “entertainment” industry no protection whatsoever. Despite numerous contraventions, this individual continues to violate animals for financial gain, with no regard for their intrinsic needs and well-being, in direct contradiction to their claims on their website."