Tamer of lions dies at 91

Irina Bugrimova, the legendary woman tamer of lions, died today at the age of 91. "Irina Bugrimova was a fine actress, a unique tamer and a wonderful person," head of the Russian state circus company and artistic director of the Grand Moscow Circus in Prospekt Vernadskogo Leonid Kostyuk said in an exclusive interview with RIA Novosti. "Bugrimova devoted all her life to circus", he emphasized. She tamed lions for thirty years. As he said, Ms. Bugrimova took to heart the problems of circus and upheld its interests even after her retirement, acting as the chairwoman of the Council of Circus Veterans and a member of the Society of Animals Care. She was awarded many honorary titles of the country.