Animals - Lions - Lions Diary - 6

Diary Page 6, Wednesday 18.4.2007 The first big transfer to Traunstein Hello, my dear Krone and lion fans. I wish you much reading pleasure. Best wishes, Princess - the royal white lady. We were scheduled to be in Landshut for 10 days. During this time, I celebrated my first 500 days on mother earth 75,000 inspired visitors wanted to see the 100 year old Circus Krone. So many round numbers. The weather was very co-operative, as the summer-like temperatures reached up to 25 degrees. Twice daily, the elephants passed in review trunk to tail towards the tent and the magical manège. The zebras are always frisky, frolicking about in their enclosures during the night and day, rubbing up against the trees and pulling down low lying branches. They live with the wooly camels, who are gradually losing their thick winter protection. Laughing, dreaming and being amazed are all part of the circus. As is water to life or lions to the trainer. Still we are "only" in kindergarten and observe animals, artists and clowns from behind the stage. There is so much to see. The Shaolin Monks warm up. Using the Krone Fire-brigade truck as support. Or the dog taxi of Mister Dalmatin, in which spotted dalmatian and poodles radiate circus joy, as they survey in the kingdom of the Krone. Who would have thought the canine artists are wild about riding on the backs of the beloved ponies? On weekend however it was time to pack, clearing our grounds and driving off. 110 km across country to Traunstein. An almost endless car caravan with 330 trailers -, luggage and equipment snaked itself through the hills and valleys of breathtakingly beautiful Bavarian landscape. The circus grounds in Traunstein was considerably smaller than in Landshut and consequently, additional ground was rented, for the artists. We lions however lived, as always in the rear left at the tent. Next to our site was a highly traveled federal road. Several times during the day screeching tires announced the amazement of drivers who could believe their eyes. White lions in Bavaria? The Bavarian answer to Knut?? Within fewer hours the blue circus tent is assembled. Tent master Torsten Malmstroem does not say without pride that it the largest and most beautiful in the whole world. The tent is 48x64m with 23m high crowns. 60 assistants work together to assemble the tent. It's fun to watch the men expertly assemble the heavy tent with such ease. Naturally, we also had new neighbors. The horses for example, are marched twice daily past our residence and with full pride I would like to report that despite my youth (and my still tender claws and teeth) the horses paid me the highest respect. All were individually accompanied. But that is the beautiful aspect of traveling with the circus. In each new appearance city, there are new optical and acoustic attractions, new smells, other grounds and new neighbors. Not as in the animal park or zoo. Because of the varying environments circus animals remain physically and mentally fit for a longer time. "The life of the circus keeps one young ", my animal trainer says. Martin Lacey Jr. must know he has 20 year old lions in his act!!!! From the first day on, the tour stop was a success. Such a spectacular event had not been experienced in Traunstein: 54 artists from 14 nations showed all facets in a spectacular show of the classical and modern circus. An anniversary program for young and old, dreamer and romantic, curious ones and precocious ones, for humans, who have still have the desire to experience life at its fullest. Some 55,000 spectators were in attendance. P.S. In conclusion, I would like to introduce you to a new friend. Her name is Jana Mandana and she is responsible for the traveling zoo. She presents the horses, elephants and the exotic animals of the house Krone. A wonderful picture of the Traunsteiner Tagblatt shows them in action. A very talented woman!

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