Outgoing Government vet Neil Burnie has demanded a ban on elephants, tigers and bears performing in circuses in Bermuda.

He urged Government to follow Sweden's lead in outlawing such "exotic'' animals from circuses.

Instead, only domesticated animals like dogs and horses should be used.

Dr. Burnie's parting shot as Government vet came just two months after Canada's Garden Brothers Circus came to BAA.

About 18,000 people attended the event sponsored by Sandys Rotary Club, which raised cash for local charities.

It was also planned to use some of the money for educational grants.

The circus -- which had elephants, bears, tigers, ponies and dogs -- played 13 shows.

Yesterday, Environment Minister Pamela Gordon said of Dr. Burnie's call: "It is an area we've never really had to address before, but I'm more than willing to hear from Dr. Burnie to help me understand his position.'' Dr. Burnie, who is thought to be taking up a position at Devonshire's Endsmeet Animal Hospital after his Government vet contract expires, goes on the offensive in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries monthly bulletin.

In it, he questioned the moral justification for circuses.

"In earlier times, before the advent of television and cinema, the only exposure that most people had to animals such as elephants, tigers and bears was through zoos and circuses.

"Animals were displayed to amuse and entertain, and welfare issues were poorly dealt with.

"As public knowledge of these formerly mysterious exotic animals has increased, so have more concerns been raised as to whether it is ethically justified to keep them in unnatural conditions.'' Dr. Burnie said many zoos now addressed this by providing habitats as close as possible to that found in the animals' natural environment.

Zoos also brought in "behavioural enrichment'' programmes to enable animals to express their natural behaviour, such as hunting and territorial marking.

"The bears and big cats being used by Garden Brothers had no such benefits whilst on tour and it appeared to me that when not performing, boredom was a major concern.

"The exhibitors both held US Department of Agriculture licences to exhibit the animals, and their home premises were presumably much more spacious than the small steel holding cages used in Bermuda.'' Dr. Burnie said he did not wish to support a venture which -- although praiseworthy as a fundraiser -- required animals to be closely confined for long periods.

"Perhaps we would do well to follow the example of the Swedish Government which has outlawed the use of these `exotic' animals in circuses, preferring to allow only the use of animals which have been domesticated for thousands of years -- that is dogs and horses. As it was, I chose not to go to the circus.'' Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, John Barnes, said he had some sympathy for Dr. Burnie's position.

But he added: "There is no real substitute to seeing and touching elephants.

That's something you can't do with television.

"I think there is still some value in bringing wildlife to individuals and the standards of husbandry of such animals as tigers has improved. There is also increasing concern for the welfare of them these days.'' ANIMAL CRUELTY? Mug Wamp and Kitty, elephants from the Garden Brothers Circus which visited in June, at Horseshoe Beach. Outgoing Government vet Neil Burnie wants an end to exotic animals performing in Bermuda.