Spectators at the final Animal Extravaganza show in St. George?s were last night in agreement that the controversial event had been worthwhile and they were satisfied that the animals were being treated well.

After three sell-out days, one of the show organisers spoke with confidence at achieving the intention of bringing family entertainment and incorporating a degree of animal conservation education within the spectacle.

The shows were promoted by DNA Entertainment and attracted criticism from some residents who lobbied Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield unsuccessfully in an attempt to prevent the exotic animals being shipped from Florida to Bermuda for the event.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also voiced concerns about the lack of information on the treatment and living conditions of the animals.

However, the Bermuda public used their pockets to show support for the Animal Extravaganza by ensuring the shows at Tiger Bay were sell-outs.

At last night?s finale there did not appear to be any protesters, only hundreds of families filling the big top marquee.

Amongst them were the Whitecross family from Somerset.

?It was wonderful, I loved everything,? said Marlene Whitecross, who was sitting with eight-year-old daughter Sophie.

?I think the animals are well treated. They appear well-looked after and this is the first time that my daughter has ever seen bears and tigers. They should bring the show back.?

Raymond Whitecross said: ?A lot of people criticise the animals coming here, but they are well taken care of. They are better taken care of in captivity than in the outside world.?

He said those who argued taking trips to Africa to see tigers in the wild should remember that is something many people would never be able to do.

Mr. Whitecross added: ?It is a great thing for young kids to see what is out there. Just looking at the animals you can see they are well taken care of.?

The audience applauded Chalcy, labelled the ?world?s smartest dog?, finding numbered cubes picked by youngsters in the crowd, and also the play fights and hugs of a selection of bears.

The finale of the show was the appearance of five tigers, one a rare white tiger, which had been trained to carry out leaps and jumps, growls and the ability to sit upright on their hind legs.

Brent Minors said: ?It couldn?t have been better. On a scale of one to ten, I?d give it a ten. It was a beautiful show and the animals are well trained and are better looked after than many people look after their children.?

For Mr. Minors, the best part was the moment the five tigers sat together in the centre of the ring. He added: ?This is something that we need more off. Most people in Bermuda never get to see these animals.

?The show people were talking to the audience about the animals in the wild and how they are treated now.

?It was a lovely show, you couldn?t have asked for anything better, although if we had it every year it would get boring.?

John Nock, president of Florida-based circus production company Nock Dynamic Entertainment Inc., which helped put on the show, said: ?Through the educational part of the show we gave people the opportunity to see what we do.

?Since the first show there has been nothing but great responses from the audience. People leaving at the end of the shows are smiling and saying they loved it.?

Of those who had protested, he said: ?Everyone has a right to believe and say what they want. We are happy that people have come along, even if they had some concerns, and given us the opportunity to show them. They can then go and make up their minds.?

He said Government Veterinary Officer Dr. Jonathan Nisbett had inspected the animals twice and was satisfied with what he had seen.

Mr. Nock added: ?It is all about giving quality animal entertainment to people aged one to 101. Families have been able to come and see and hear about these animals.?

Even before the big top comes down his company is gearing up for its next spectacle, a Monster Trucks show in St. George?s on June 10 and 11.

As the audience filed out of the Animal Extravaganza show last night a woman shepherding her daughter from the big top, said: ?It was a great show. We loved the animals.?