Bermuda circus outcry
February 2003

Residents in Bermuda contacted CAPS for help after a circus arrived on the island with animals that had endured a three-day journey at sea. The Tarzan Zerbini Circus arrived in Bermuda in December with three Asian elephants, a white tiger and four dogs.

According to local media reports the white tiger "appeared in a tiny, cramped cage at a gas station as part of a promotional gimmick."

Residents told CAPS that the journey had been "on rough seas from the eastern seaboard of the USA." They also criticised the Department of Environmental Protection for allowing the circus to perform on the island. The Government vet was quoted in the media as saying that it would be inconsistent to ban the use of animals in circuses while still allowing dog and cat shows, and that he found the circus performance 'pleasurable and entertaining'.

Local reporter Jessie Moniz was perhaps the only reporter to take a strong stance on the issue. She wrote that people who visit animal circuses "believe that their right to be entertained for an hour is more important that an animal's right to live a life free of torture and abuse." On the claim that circuses are 'a way of life', Jessie commented, "Pickpocketing is a way of life for some people, but that doesn't make it right."

CAPS are continuing to work with local residents to ensure that animal circuses do not return to Bermuda again.

ACTION

Please write to one, or all, of the following expressing your concern about the use of animals in circuses and asking them not to allow animal circuses back to Bermuda again: Mr Dennis Lister, Minister of the Environment Government Administration Building, 30 Parliament St, Hamilton HM12, Bermuda Mr. Tom Sleeter, Director Department of Environmental Protection PO Box HM 834, Hamilton HM CX, Bermuda Dr. Jonathan Nisbett, Government Veterinary Officer PO Box HM 834, Hamilton HM CX, Bermuda

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