Uproar over plans to bring tigers and bears to Bermuda has garnered international attention with one group calling it inhumane and another questioning the authenticity of the ?sanctuary? the animals are coming from.

Ray Hollis, an organiser behind the planned show, said the tigers will come from Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary in Florida, a registered non-profit organisation. The group states on its website it provides ?emotional enrichment that maintains optimal mental and physical health?. It also states that 57 big cats have been saved and taken to the sanctuary since it was started by Kay Rosaire in 1987.

However, a senior keeper at another sanctuary has raised concerns about the Florida-based group and said it does not meet criteria laid out by the US Internal Revenue Agency. The IRA specifies that sanctuaries must not take animals off sanctuary grounds. It also stipulates animals should not be used for any commercial activities, such as shows or exhibits.

?These are not standards Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary in Florida even tries to meet,? Ms Hanan said. ?This is why the SPCA, or any other accredited organisation involved with the true humane concerns of animals, would not endorse this event or the abuse of these animals by their transportation and participation in this event.?

The Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary in Florida is also not listed on the US Association of Sanctuaries, which accredits sanctuaries that provide quality care for animals and meet federal regulations. The sanctuary Ms Hanan works with is one of the largest sanctuaries for wild cats in the world. It is accredited by the Association of Sanctuaries. could not reach Ms Rosaire for comment yesterday.

Another international group, Captive Animals? Protection Society (CAPS), has added its voice to the campaign to prevent the animals? trip to the Island. CAPS wrote a letter to the Ministry of Environment urging it not to grant permission for DNA Entertainment to proceed with the show.

?We had hoped that international furore caused at the circus visit three years ago would make circuses realise that they were not welcome in Bermuda if they had animals,? CAPS campaign manager Craig Redmond said. ?There is still time for this outdated use of performing animals to be stopped.

They have asked the Ministry if it has a contingency plan in place in case an animal escapes. They have also made queries about the facilities the Island has to house such large animals. Another issue they raised was if the Island had any qualified veterinary practitioner experienced in dealing with tigers or bears.

CAPS also has concerns about where the bears are coming from. They have received reports that they may come from Tarzan Zarbini Circus. However, Mr. Hollis laughed at this suggestion and said there was ?no way? any of the animals being brought to Bermuda were part of the circus.

He added that the bears were being brought from a sanctuary that works closely with the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary.

Teresa Ince, shelter manager of Bermuda?s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) echoed many of the overseas groups? concerns.?There are accredited sanctuaries and we just wonder how is it a sanctuary if they are taking them off the grounds,? she said.

Ms Ince said she could not make additional comments because the SPCA is still researching the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. The SPCA and Hannover Veterinary Hospital have been outspoken in their opposition to the proposed show.

Posters have been placed around the Island to advertise the event, which is slated to begin May 26, for several months.

The Animal Extravaganza is one of four shows organised by DNA Entertainment. Tickets to all events have sold well, Mr. Hollis said.

No decision on whether to allow the show has yet been announced by the Ministry of the Environment. On Friday a spokesman for the Ministry said: ?The Ministry is still reviewing the matter and no permission has yet been granted.?