Fleas Featured on BBC Radio Program

A remembrance of entomologist Miriam Rothschild includes flea circus owner Professor A.G. Gertsacov

January 31, 2005 Providence, RI

Professor A.G. Gertsacov, Rhode Island flea circus impresario and proprietor of the Acme Miniature Circus, was featured on BBC radio program "Outlook" today. The occasion was a remembrance of Dame Miriam Rothschild, a noted British zoologist who was known for many years as "Queen of the Fleas" for her outstanding research in studying and cataloging fleas. Dame Rothschild passed away last week at the age of 96.



The show features a 15 minute interview with Gertsacov, as well as other noted flea authorities, including entomologist Amorette Brandt of the Royal Natural History Museum, and Ian Burgess, an insect specialist who sells insects to British scientists. On the program, Gertsacov recites flea poetry, does a bit of an old-fashioned flea circus "grind" from the show, and talks a little bit about the amazing acts he has taught his fleas to perform.



Gertsacov, who has performed his show over 700 times in the last 8 years, says of Rothschild, “She was an amazing woman who dedicated an enormous amount of her time, intellect, and money to a tiny creature. She really contributed to the world’s scientific knowledge of the flea in a great way.”



To hear the show, visit the website http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/outlook_peo.shtml" And click on "Listen to Monday's show" (To listen to the show you need Real Media's free player (available for free at www.real.com



The entire flea interview starts at minute 26:30 and Professor Gertsacov's entrance into the program starts at minute 34:30



The show will be archived for the next week on the radio program website.



For more information about the flea circus, visit Gertsacov's website www.trainedfleas.com