Big cats' droppings help German circus weather coronavirus crisis

Lion tamer Martin Lacey poses with Lion King Tonga and a glass of lion droppings, which Circus Krone sells amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Munich, Germany, August 10, 2020. Circus Krone is selling the product to be used as a household remedy to keep other wild animals away and sales should make up for the financial losses the circus suffered during the Corona crisis. REUTERS/Michael Dalder

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.

Lion tamer Martin Lacey brushes Lion King Tonga, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Munich, Germany, August 10, 2020. Circus Krone is selling lion dropping in jars to be used as a household remedy to keep other wild animals away. The product's sales should make up for the financial losses the circus suffered during the Corona crisis. REUTERS/Michael Dalder

"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 towards a charity to improve the living conditions of captive animals.

Lion tamer Martin Lacey poses with a glass of lion droppings, which Circus Krone sells amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Munich, Germany, August 10, 2020. Circus Krone is selling the product to be used as a household remedy to keep other wild animals away and sales should make up for the financial losses the circus suffered during the Corona crisis. REUTERS/Michael Dalder

And if you don't have a garden pest problem but find your neighbours pesky? - "Put some in the garden, and the neighbours will go away," Lacey chuckles.

(Reporting by Ayhan Uyanik; Writing by Tanya Wood and Michael Nienaber; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

Jars of lion droppings, which Circus Krone sells amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, are displayed in Munich, Germany, August 10, 2020. Circus Krone is selling the product to be used as a household remedy to keep other wild animals away and sales should make up for the financial losses the circus suffered during the Corona crisis. REUTERS/Michael Dalder

Lion tamer Martin Lacey poses with Lion King Tonga and a glass of lion droppings, which Circus Krone sells amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Munich, Germany, August 10, 2020. Circus Krone is selling the product to be used as a household remedy to keep other wild animals away and sales should make up for the financial losses the circus suffered during the Corona crisis. REUTERS/Michael Dalder