Isaac A. Van Amburgh (1808–1865) was an American animal trainer who developed the first trained wild animal act in modern times.Culhane, John. The American Circus, Henry Holt and Company, Inc., 1990., pg. 20 By introducing jungle acts into the circus, Van Amburgh paved the way for combining menageries with circuses. After that, menageries began using equestrian and clown performances in circus rings. Gradually the distinction between circus and menagerie faded.Culhane, John. The American Circus, Henry Holt and Company, Inc., 1990., pg. 17
