Sandys Rotary Address Tiger Concerns
Sandys Rotary Club today [Dec 23] addressed the concerns over the appearance of a tiger at the Rick Thomas Magic Show next year in Bermuda.
Recently the Bermuda Sun quoted Kim Sherlaw, SPCA director, as saying: “We are absolutely against this as we do not promote the use of animals in entertainment. We acknowledge it takes place but there is a fine line between domesticated and wild animals being used. Tigers are not entertainers by nature, they are wild animals. This is exploiting animals for financial gain. Public safety is paramount. You can take precautions but this is an exotic animal used to hunting for food.”
Sandys Rotary said that their organization and the SPCA “as respected organizations in the community, endorse the humane treatment of animals and have agreed to work together to ensure that the tiger, whilst in Bermuda, would not be prone to any acts of cruelty or inhumane treatment.”
“Representatives from Sandys Rotary met with the SPCA officials to inform the SPCA of their due diligence with respect to the tiger, and provide details regarding the care and handling of the animal while in transit and on island. Sandys Rotary has agreed to have the SPCA inspector inspect the accommodations for the tiger prior to his arrival. Sandys Rotary Club recognise and understand the SPCA’s position and their concerns about the welfare of this tiger and all animals.”
Sandys Rotary said today that Kim Sherlaw, director of the SPCA has made the position of their organization very clear regarding the use of animals in entertainment, and has stated “Even if you don’t support the Rick Thomas Magic Show and choose not to attend, I would encourage people to give charitably to Sandys Rotary being appreciative of their worthy fundraising efforts to help local charities in Bermuda and to support PolioPlus.”
Sandys Rotary explained that a “great deal of due diligence went into ensuring that no animals would be put at risk, nor would the public to put on this show. The purpose of this event is solely for charitable purposes and that funds raised from the show will be used to benefit local children and family charities as well as PolioPlus. Sandys Rotary has taken on the task of raising funds during these challenging times as it believes that charities will need the most help next year when economic conditions are likely to worsen.”
The Rick Thomas Magic Show will be held at the Fairmont Southampton Mid-Ocean Amphitheatre from February 25 – March 5, 2011. Tickets are available for the Gala Dinner and Show to kick off the event on February 25th and are available through Rotarians or online at Rickthomasbermuda.com. Show tickets can be ordered online at Premiertickets.bm or by calling 278-1500.
So horses, which by nature are wild, who then become trained to perform at the Ag show and equestrian events should be an issue as well, no?
Or how dolphins are locked up in that tiny body of water at Dolphin Quest in Dockyard?
I argued that point with somebody from down there and they told me that the dolphins were happy and they knew this because they reproduced. Well you put me in such a small confined space with another of a different gender you can bet your boots I will be reproducing as well! What else is there to do?
Horses are not Tigers. I’m sorry there is no comparison. Horses are not Wild by nature nor carnivores. Horses that you see today are not wild and have been domesticated for hundreds of years. That being said if there is an injustice or mistreatment of a horse or any animal then they should be banned and prevented from participating.
The SPCA has stopped abuse and saved many a horse on this island and are doing there jobs in speaking up and voicing there concerns. As all animal lovers should. Some of these conditions of Magic and circus show animlas are deplorable. SPCA has every right to question this. Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals, is what that stands for and that is what they are attempting to do.
A wild carnivore, no matter how well trained may react badly to outside surroundings and that has been proven time and time again. Siegfried and Roy prime example. They were very well trained and had amazing accomdations and were very well taken care of. However s a reaction to something He hurt his own trainer and it could have been much worse. The animal gets put down in the end because ” It just went Crazy” when in actual fact it did what it’s supposed to do and humans put them and others in danger when they use them in these manners.
Althought in Bermuda we are lacking in entertainment, I agree with the SPCA.
Couple things…
“Some of these conditions of Magic and circus show animlas are deplorable.”
And some of them are amazing, creating homes and habitats for animals that would ordinarily have to be put down. This is especially true of the big cats, who are sometimes interbred to create hybrids that would never, ever be found in nature. Should these animals be slaughtered because of someone’s irresponsibility?
If this show is “deplorable”, then, yes, shut it down.
But to prejudge based on a knee-jerk reaction helps no-one, and, in fact, can do more harm to these animals by ruining reputations and taking funding away from the good folks that are saving them.
“A wild carnivore, no matter how well trained may react badly to outside surroundings and that has been proven time and time again. Siegfried and Roy prime example. They were very well trained and had amazing accomdations and were very well taken care of. However s a reaction to something He hurt his own trainer and it could have been much worse.”
Another knee-jerk.
What ACTUALLY happened was that Roy suffered a stroke and collapsed. The tiger tried to carry him to safety.
Yes, it’s dangerous to work with these animals, but Seigfried and Roy accepted that danger in order to create awareness, fund breeding programs and preserve these animals.
Having said that, if this show is unbarriered, with nothing between the animals and the audience, which I HIGHLY doubt, then we got problems.
Until we have proof that these animals are being abused we shouldn’t judge.
“Horses are not Tigers. I’m sorry there is no comparison. Horses are not Wild by nature nor carnivores”
So domesticated animals are ok for entertainment? How arrogant a race us Humans are, where we can label other sentient living creatures into whatever category needed to suit the argument. I don’t care or need to know the difference between how a horse and tiger is categorized, if it’s wrong for one, it’s wrong for the other. They are both living animals. How hypocritical.
“You can take precautions but this is an exotic animal used to hunting for food.”
Is it? This is a WILD tiger that was captured?
Really?
(For the record, if it ISN’T, and was raised in captivity, to say it is “used to hunting for food” is, to say the least, completely misleading.
And no, I’m not suggesting that it is domesticated.)
Some very good points made by both “truth” and “surprised”.
As for “carnivore”, well thats open to interpretation.
Bermuda has been exposed to numerous over the past 12 years.
Time to change the litter box……Oh! it’s so full….”CONTRACTOR”…………
I think the promotors of the show will be glad of all this free advertising. I predict that it will be a sell out as a result.
I certainly had not heard about it until now. I think I’ll get tickets. Thanks animal advocates!
Kim Sherlaw go help some humans, specially children who could use your concern. We’ve had shows like this before. I remember going to it. Whats the problem now??