<P> The earliest involvement of animals in circus was just the display of exotic creatures in a menagerie . Going as far back as the early eighteenth century , exotic animals were transported to North America for display , and menageries were a popular form of entertainment . The first true animals acts in the circus were equestrian acts . Soon elephants and big cats were displayed as well . Isaac A. Van Amburgh entered a cage with several big cats in 1833 , and is generally considered to be the first wild animal trainer in American circus history . Mabel Stark was a famous female tiger - tamer . </P>
<P> The earliest involvement of animals in circus was just the display of exotic creatures in a menagerie . Going as far back as the early eighteenth century , exotic animals were transported to North America for display , and menageries were a popular form of entertainment . The first true animals acts in the circus were equestrian acts . Soon elephants and big cats were displayed as well . Isaac A. Van Amburgh entered a cage with several big cats in 1833 , and is generally considered to be the first wild animal trainer in American circus history . Mabel Stark was a famous female tiger - tamer . </P>
when were elephants first used in the circus
when were elephants first used in the circus
early eighteenth century
early eighteenth century