‘Smell’ of success: Shuttered circus finds side income

BOTTLED DROPPINGS Closed down due to the pandemic, German circus Krone sells on the side lion droppings found effective in keeping wild animals off houses and gardens. Lion king Tonga and his tamer pose with a jar of droppings in Munich, Germany, on Monday. —REUTERS

BERLIN — One creature’s droppings can be another’s treasure, as Germany’s Krone Circus is finding out during the new coronavirus pandemic.

Home to 26 lions and tigers, the circus has found an unusual side income and raised money despite coronavirus-related restrictions: selling jars of big cats’ droppings.

Customers have told lion tamer Martin Lacey they swear by the stuff.

“I am told it keeps cats away from the garden, and since then we have learned that also it keeps the animals away from the car, where they eat all the electric cables,” Lacey said.

The circus’ pop-up shop is also a way to give people a few laughs, says Lacey as the circus waits to be allowed to perform again.

The jars sell for 5 euros each, with some of the money going toward a charity to improve the living conditions of captive animals.

And if you don’t have a garden pest problem but find your neighbors pesky? “Put some in the garden, and the neighbors will go away,” Lacey chuckles.