A SLEW of Bermudians have contacted an international animal protection organisation for information on legislation to prevent exotic animal acts from visiting the island after a circus caused controversy across here last month.

The American-based Tarzan Zerbini circus ignited outrage among local animal lovers after its white tiger an endangered species appeared in a tiny, cramped cage at a gas station as part of a promotional gimmick. The treatment of several elephants in the circus also caused concern.

Debbie Leahy, spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia said she had heard of the controversy in Bermuda.

"PETA has received quite a few complaints from Bermuda residents since the Tarzan Zerbini circus arrived in December," said Ms Leahy. "People were concerned with how extreme confinement during a long three day journey on rough seas adversely affected the animals."

She said PETA also received complaints that small children were allowed in close proximity to the tiger Fuji while he was on display at the gas station. People were also disturbed that the circus' three elephants were kept chained by two legs all day.

"The elephants were seen swaying neurotically and bobbing their heads," said Ms Leahy. "These are classic signs of mental distress. Complainants were very upset that Bermuda officials allowed this sad and cruel circus to come to the island and were interested in obtaining information on legislation to prohibit exotic animal acts."

She said Puerto Rico is now considering legislation to ban exotic animal acts after another circus appeared there with seven polar bears.

"The polar bears have since been rescued and relocated to zoos," she said.

PETA's website, Circuses.com contains information about the Tarzan Zerbini circus and other circuses that feature animal acts.

According to PETA's website: "Tarzan Zerbini Circus has failed to meet 'minimal' US Federal standards for the care of animals used in exhibition as established in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The USDA has cited Tarzan Zerbini Circus for failure to provide a veterinary care programme and medical records and failure to properly maintain transport vehicles."

PETA provided the Mid-Ocean News with documents from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) citing this circus for a number of violations of the American Animal Welfare Act.

For example, in November 1999 USDA inspector Pierre Spenle described the lackadaisical way the elephants were transported. He wrote: "The trailer being used to transport the three elephants has broken splintered wood on the side walls near the vent holes. The floor where the metal and wood meet was rusted through in spots. The floor sags in several spots of the trailer. The front part of the right fender well has come loose and has sharp edges and needs to be repaired."

Government veterinarian Dr. Jonathan Nesbitt said: "Judging by all that was in the newspapers, maybe legislation about the performance of exotic animals does need to be looked at more closely."

But Dr. Nesbitt said he was not entirely convinced of the accuracy of all of the information carried on PETA's website about the Tarzan Zerbini circus.

"The only (critical) information I received about Tarzan Zerbini was from PETA," said Dr. Nesbitt. "Frankly, I find some of the information on their website suspect."

Dr. Nesbitt said Bermuda allowed the circus to bring in endangered species because it was not a violation of the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES)

"Although tigers and elephants come under the provisions of the treaty, the treaty does allow circuses to move and exist," he said.

Dr. Nesbitt said the circus complied with all the CITES regulations.

The Government vet said he was not personally enthusiastic about proposals for legislation to ban the performance of exotic animals on the island.

"Of all the people calling for a ban on circuses to me the same logic would apply to racing ponies and pleasure horses," he said. "If we are going to make a move to circuses we have to be consistent. The same logic might be applied to dog shows and cat shows. There is a lot to be considered." Dr. Nesbitt said he did not know if there would be further action on the legislation front. "The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has promised to forward things. And the Environment Minister has promised to look at it further. At the moment, I can't say yeah or nay."

He said he went to the Tarzan Zerbini circus himself and found it a pleasurable and entertaining experience.

"I also noted that out of the two-and-a-half hours of entertainment, both the elephants and the dogs have a total of 20 minutes in performance," he said. "I can foresee the day when circuses will not have animals at all."

But he said he would have gone to the circus even if there were no animals. "I didn't go to see the animals," he said. "That was me personally."

SPCA shelter chairman veterinarian Andrew Madeiros said the problem with legislation is that "everything has to be so black and white".

"It is very difficult to write an act that will permit something and not something else," he said.

Dr. Madeiros said that while legislation controlling the performance of exotic animals on the island might be something the SPCA looks at, it might be more effective to work on the education angle.

"Legislation is something that will take a long time," he said. "It will not be a quick fix. It will take a lot of research and drafting. You are looking at a minimum of four years. My experience with that is it is a long hard slog. We are more keen to educate people and allow them to make their own choices. The people who brought the circus here have done everything within guidelines of the law. The only guidelines we would use is the Care & Protection of Animals Act, an old act that needs work."

He said this act is not specific to captive animals and is open to interpretation. "For example, it talks about adequate shelter. Well what is adequate?"

Dr. Madeiros said people often straddle opposite sides of the fence on the circus issue.

"You are dealing with a mental philosophy," he said. "Why would this be okay for animals in certain situations but not okay for other animals? That is where we can take a more proactive role."

He said that there were individuals campaigning vigorously against circuses on the island, but they were not necessarily SPCA-affiliated.

"We aren't the ones who contacted PETA," he said. "I think it would be natural for concerned people to call them. There was rumour of a petition going around. That wasn't us. I never even saw it. There was rumour of a protest when the circus was here. That wasn't us either."

He said health concerns regarding the importation of circus animals was something to be considered.

"You have to look at communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and rabies that can be transmitted by these animals," he said. "The permits for animals to come into the island is issued by the department of environmental protection."

He said that although local veterinarians are sometimes called in to help with unusual species such as an owl they would not necessarily have the equipment on the island to help a sick elephant. Certainly, if the elephant required anesthesia there is no way we could do that here. There is no expertise. You do require some special medication for certain species. That was a concern the SPCA put forward when the initial inquiry was made about bringing these animals to the island."