Circus animals due to arrive on the Island at the end of this week are to be thoroughly inspected by animal welfare officers.

The announcement comes after some people raised ethical concerns over the necessity of bringing caged animals to the Island purely for entertainment's sake.

Government vet Dr. Jonathan Nisbett and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) will travel to St. George's to meet the animals when they sail in to the East End, which is likely to be tonight or tomorrow .

Dr. Nisbett said he was expecting three elephants, one tiger and five dogs to arrive as part of the Tarzan Zerbini Circus, which is laying on several performances next week.

He said the inspection was a matter of course, regardless of whether or not concerns were raised.

"My objective is to endorse the identity of the animals and to make sure they are not bringing anything in that is infectious or dangerous to the Island.

"But another objective is to check on the welfare of the animals and to ensure that the circus is complying with standard protocols for transporting animals."

If any problems are found, Dr. Nisbett said the circus operators would be asked to comply immediately.

The circus had to be granted permits from the Government vet before any of its animals could be brought on to the Island.

However, Monrovian horses, which sometimes appear in the show, will not be coming.

The circus will be held between December 18 and 21 at Number One Gate at Kindley Field in St. George's, with part of the proceeds being donated to PRIDE and Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

So far, a number of people have voiced interest in seeing the show, however, others have also voiced disquiet.

SPCA inspector Charles Whited said he had received a number of calls from concerned residents who had voiced fears over the welfare of the animals, as well as raised issues over the necessity of the animal circus.

He said: "I will be inspecting the animals with Dr. Nisbett once they arrive, and then we will go and inspect the areas where they are to be kept and housed while on the Island.

"We have not received complaints about the circus, but people have called us to raise concerns and ask questions.

"The SPCA is entitled to carry out inspections on any animals on the Island, and ask questions and expect answers from the owners or care givers, where people have called us with concerns. Under the Care and Protection of Animals Act we have the authority to carry out those inspections."

One woman has already written to The Royal Gazette expressing concerns over the circus' imminent arrival.

Alexandra Reck, from Paget, said she believed circuses were not fun for animals.

"Common sense, not to mention numerous horror stories of both human and animal fatalities, tell us that the lives of performing animals in circuses are unnatural and miserable," she said.

"They spend their circus life dominated by trainers, confined either in cages or by chains, and performing ridiculous acts that are totally unnatural and potentially physically painful for them.

"The statement that Tarzan Zerbini was well-know for using voice commands instead of whips on tigers and lions is of little consolation. When did you last see a wild tiger jumping through rings of fire? Or an elephant standing on its hind legs? How can an animal be comfortable and stimulated in a circus environment that is so far removed from its natural habitat?

"A life in the circus deprives animals of their basic needs to exercise, roam unhindered, socialise, forage and play."

Tickets for the show are on sale next to the Esso City Auto Market on Par-La-Ville Road in Hamilton and at Clear View Suites and Villas.