There may be horses, trapeze artists and clowns, but it's the lions that keep the crowds coming back to the big top, according to "beast master" Steven Lavis.Lavis, from Nowra, is in Wollongong with Lennon Bros Circus. The lion tamer has been working with the big cats for 16 years, and reckons the animals continue to draw a crowd."It is amazing when the kids come down, they always ask 'do you have lions'," he said.The five lions are well fed on Australian beef fresh from the abattoir.But their taste doesn't extend to human flesh, according to Lavis. He said he'd never had a dangerous encounter with the lions since starting the job. "When the girls are in season the male lion gets pretty protective, but there have been no close calls." Lavis enjoyed the circus lifestyle which allowed him to travel Australia. "There is no better job than getting paid to travel Australia. I've been to places money can't take you." Lennon Bros Circus is at JJ Kelly Park until August 10.