Dubai: The Egyptian-Russian-European circus opened its doors yesterday in Abu Dhabi and was keen to disassociate itself from two lion cubs that suffered severe animal cruelty at the hands of their owner, the namesake of the circus' biggest act — Faten Al Helw.
Mamdouh Al Helou, an Egyptian lion trainer hired by Freij Entertainment International, had two lion cubs confiscated by the Ministry of Environment and Water last week after they were found in poor health and offered illegally for sale at Dh35,000 each.
He and Faten Al Helw, an Egyptian lion trainer working with Sky Entertainment, the company behind the Egyptian-Russian-European circus, are "not directly related", according to Chadi Bassar, marketing manager for Sky Entertainment.
Al Helw is a famous Egyptian family name linked to lion trainers and circuses that dates back 100 years.
Ticket sales for the circus were stopped in some outlets as a result of mistaken identity between the two Egyptian performers, he said.
Devastating
"It's been devastating. We did not bring these animals for trade purposes and we do not mistreat them. We have no relation to Mamdouh Al Helou," said Bassar.
"This has ruined her [Faten Al Helw] reputation and we have lost business. I do believe we will be able to make it back though," said Bassar, who expects a full audience.
"We want everybody to come and see the show and to see the animals and how we treat them. They are in Khalifa Park in their cages and anyone can come down and have pictures taken next to them," he said.
"As you know it is difficult for an animal circus to be in the country, and we don't want to do anything that would [jeopardise] us being here," he added.
Bassar described the state of the two cubs which are now receiving proper veterinary care as "very sad".
"I have never seen such a thing before. These are God's creatures and they were never intended to be treated like this. They must be well kept because they are endangered species and 10 years down the road we might not have these animals at all," said Bassar.
Speaking to Gulf News reporters posing as cub buyers last week, Mamdouh Al Helou said, "Al Helou family is very well known in Egypt with regard to lions and tigers. It's a trade that has been passed down from father to son, my son Mohammad is a fifth generation lion trainer."
His son Mohammad, 30, is the youngest of six children and the only one to take up the trade.
"We have about 10 tigers and 25 lions back in Egypt," said Al Helou.
"I have been attacked many times; it's the risk of the trade. The last time I was attacked by a male who mauled me and tore at my chest, I was very close to dying, if Mohammad hadn't stepped between me and the lion I wouldn't be here today."
What would you do if you witnessed animal cruelty? Is enough being done to protect animals? If you have seen any exotic pets, let us know and send us pictures
