Tigers and bears shipped to Bermuda for a controversial animal show arrived at Hamilton docks last night, met by a crowd of concerned animal lovers at the gates.

Two large trucks towed air-conditioned containers bearing the creatures out onto Front Street - with one immediately involved in a minor traffic accident.

The second truck, emblazoned with the words ?Big Cat Encounter? and ?Caution Animals on Board? hit a bollard at the dock entrance with a crash as it left shortly after 7.30 p.m., suffering a hole in its side.

Bears and a tiger could be seen gazing out of the trucks as Police moved to deal with the incident and then provided a ?blue light? escort as the convoy headed off to the venue in St George?s. understands that Government Veterinary Officer Dr. Jonathan Nisbett conducted an inspection as the animals arrived on the at 4 p.m. after their two-day journey from New Jersey. However, an SPCA Inspector was denied access to the docks because he was not equipped with a pass.

The Animal Extravaganza, set to be held at Tiger Bay, St. George?s between May 26 and 28 has been the subject of protests from the SPCA which has concerns over the transportation of the animals and their safety while in Bermuda.

SPCA member Debbie Masters who was among 20 members of the public gathered at the docks last night said the Extravaganza was ?morally and ethically wrong.? She stressed that she was not there as a protester, but out of an interest in watching how the creatures were transported.

?I think wild animals should remain in their own habitat. If you want to see them then go to Africa or turn on the Animal Channel. Animals are not here for entertainment or profit,? said Miss Masters, from Paget. She expressed concern that the animals may have experienced sea-sickness but added: ?You can?t fault them (the organisers) for the way it was done, but there was pressure on them and they knew they were being watched to do everything correctly.?

Miss Masters said the SPCA would send representatives to the shows to see whether they lived up to their advertisements, which promise ?a unique blend of exotic animal diversity, environmental messages and educational entertainment?.

Vernon Trott, an assistant to show organiser Ray Hollis of DNA Entertainment, said that three tigers ? a cub and its parents ? plus four bears had been brought to Bermuda.

He stressed that the animals had been accompanied on the boat by their trainer who is a licensed vet and that the arrangements were overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency. Mr. Trott added that the creatures were well-kept during the journey, travelling in air-conditioned units with beds of hay and plenty of water.

He dismissed fears that the animals could escape, saying: ?There will be kept in the East End securely. We?ve set up surveillance cameras and are working with the St George?s Police department and paying Environmental Protection extra to have nearly 24-hour monitoring.?

Minister of the Environment Neletha Butterfield gave approval for the Animal Extravaganza last week, saying she had taken the concerns of members of the public into account. The Minister said the application by DNA Entertainment was assessed through checks including the background of the exhibitor, transportation and housing arrangements for the animals and public safety measures. However, this triggered further protests from both the SPCA and international animal welfare groups.