Shortly after Appa was transported to the Fire Nation circus and caged, the trainer introduced himself by mocking the creature's wild behavior and explained that he would "break" him in training. Later, the man returned with a cartload of cabbages and fed a few of the animals, but did not feed Appa, explaining that he would need to earn his food by performing well in public shows. He proceeded to demonstrate by releasing a lion vulture and forcing it to fly through hoops stylistically, as if in an act; however, when he heard Appa burp behind his back, the trainer realized the flying bison had been eating anyway and expressed his anger by lighting a fire in front of his cage.