A major sponsor for the Animal Extravaganza circus has pulled out of the event because of concerns raised by animal rights activists and customers and a lack of information from the organiser.

North Rock Communications had planned to sponsor the event as well as the other shows DNA Entertainment is bringing to the Island. Che Barker, Marketing Manager of the company stated: ?North Rock Communications has heard the concerns of our customers and animal lovers across the Island and has chosen to pull their support from the Animal Extravaganza.?

Mr. Barker said he had no proof or information that the animals that are planned to come to Bermuda have been abused or mistreated but the company thought it best not to get involved. ?While the organisers have assured us that the animals have not been mistreated we feel it is best that we disassociate our organisation from the event,? he said. ?We will not be advertising at the Animal Extravaganza, and have chosen to not offer tickets for the event.

?Additionally we have advised organisers that we do not wish for our logo to be displayed during the event.?

DNA Entertainment announced in March that it would be bringing animals to the Island for the viewing pleasure of the public. The organiser, Ray Hollis, stated the group bringing the animals were not affiliated with a circus and were from a habitat and were well treated.

He would not say what group was bringing the animals or specify exactly what he planned to bring to the Island.

Since then the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have questioned the treatment of animals and attempted to learn more about the group that owns the animals. The organisation said the name of the group is critical because they want to do their own research.

The SPCA scheduled two meetings with DNA, one was rescheduled while the other one failed to happen because Mr. Hollis did not show up. Mr. Hollis would not answer questions about the event or his failure to meet the SPCA. The SPCA said it could not endorse the event without information about the group.

Vet Maureen Ware-Cieters of the League for the Protection of Animals and the Environment also requested that the Minster of Environment to refuse an application.

Due to these campaigns for more information and an apparent unwillingness from DNA Entertainment to divulge details customers have complained to North Rock Communications about the company?s sponsorship of the event.