A new documentary hosted by Ross Kemp reveals the living conditions of big cats kept by private owners in Britain, with some held in small backyard enclosures.
In the first episode of Britain’s Tiger Kings: On The Trail With Ross Kemp, airing tonight at 9pm on ITV, the 56-year-old presenter meets Reece Oliver, who legally keeps two lions in his garden.
Reece admits his space isn’t large enough for the lions but is applying for permission to expand the enclosure.
Reece’s lions, Rocky and Rora, are African cubs rescued from a circus in the Czech Republic in 2019. Their presence has caused controversy in the Nottinghamshire village, with some neighbors raising concerns about the welfare of the animals.
The documentary series was announced in February, with ITV seemingly hoping to replicate the success of Netflix’s Tiger King, which focused on Joe Exotic, a former zookeeper convicted of animal abuse and attempted murder-for-hire.
It’s estimated that around 4,000 wild animals, including lions, tigers, bears, and crocodiles, are privately owned in the UK.
The two-part series follows Kemp as he explores this little-known world while adhering to Covid-19 safety protocols.
When asked whether his property provides adequate space compared to animal sanctuaries, Reece concedes that it does not, though he emphasizes his strong bond with the animals.
“If you take those lions away from me, it would stress them out. They’re happy here and love me. When I’m not around, they miss me,” Reece says, likening their behavior to that of “puppy dogs.”
Despite criticism from animal rights groups and neighbors, Reece remains unfazed. “I like to take risks. I’ve always wanted something different, and I don’t care much about what people think,” he explains.
Reece’s ownership of exotic animals gained attention last year when he applied for planning permission for a 400-square-meter enclosure for his show-jumping horses.
However, locals were alarmed when they learned the enclosure housed a Rogue puma and would soon accommodate the lion cubs.
Fourteen neighbors objected, citing safety concerns, as the enclosure was less than 45 meters from the nearest house.
Despite this, Reece was granted permission to keep the enclosure, complete with a nearly 4-meter-high fence.
Reece lives in a barn conversion with his extended family, including two squirrel monkeys named Ronnie and Reggie.
He rescued the puma from the illegal pet trade, and Rocky and Rora are expected to outgrow Rogue within two years, with Rocky potentially reaching 30 stone.
The documentary also takes Kemp to Oxfordshire, where he meets former circus trainer Jim Clubb, who now trains animals for television, film, and advertisements.
Jim, who keeps tigers, admits that working with these animals is always risky. “If you think they can’t hurt you, that’s the wrong attitude,” he says, pointing out that a single bite or swipe from a tiger can be fatal.
Kemp’s journey also leads him to Munich, where he finds himself in a cage with a lion while meeting Martin Lacey, an English circus trainer who owns the largest collection of big cats in Europe.
Lacey defends his treatment of the animals, saying, “In England, people love animals but don’t understand them. Our animals have everything they need, and we take good care of them.”
The global sensation Tiger King put the spotlight on big cat ownership, following figures like Joe Exotic, who is currently serving a 22-year sentence for animal abuse and plotting to kill rival Carole Baskin.
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