The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals today hopes to find out more about a group that intends to bring animals to the Island for an “Animal Extravaganza” in May.
The SPCA is set to meet with the show’s promoter today amid concerns about the show which have grown since plans were announced early March. The SPCA is particularly worried about the treatment of animals kept in captivity.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals today hopes to find out more about a group that intends to bring animals to the Island for an “Animal Extravaganza” in May.
The SPCA is set to meet with the show’s promoter today amid concerns about the show which have grown since plans were announced early March. The SPCA is particularly worried about the treatment of animals kept in captivity.
Yesterday, Teresa Ince, the Shelter Manager, said she hoped to find out two key pieces of information from the meeting: who is bringing the animals and what animals are coming. She said she has been provided no information about the habitat or sanctuary that the animals live on.
“I can’t imagine a sanctuary that would allow their animals to be shipped to Bermuda,” she added.
Mrs. Ince also said that she believes the SPCA will still have concerns about the event even if the animal caretakers are legitimate. She said that a major issue for the society was that exotic animals kept in captivity do not lead enjoyable lives.
Ray Hollis, the owner of DNA Entertainment, has so far provided vague details about the shows. He has yet to reveal where the animals are actually coming from, apart from the fact that they live on a “habitat”. He has also revealed that he will bring animals that are on the endangered species list but has ruled out bringing an elephant to the Island.
Mr. Hollis would not comment on whether of not he has obtained permission from the Ministry of Environment to bring the animals to Bermuda. Requests for information regarding the permission from Government have not been successful.
There has been a lot of positive interest in the shows, Mr. Hollis added, with 50 percent of tickets to some shows already purchased. He added that only two percent of people calling about the shows seemed to be worried about the welfare of animals.
On Friday, he also said that he believed the Society would be happy with the meeting and that he does not believe the group bringing the animals have any citations against them for animal neglect or abuse.
By Ruth O’Kelly Lynch The Royal Gazette