A letter signed by more than 20 people condemning plans to bring an ?animal extravaganza? to Bermuda has been sent to Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield.

The message, penned by vet Maureen Ware-Cieters and also signed by her vet husband Jan Cieters, begs the Minister to refuse an application from DNA Entertainment for permission to bring in the animals for the show .

It is co-signed by 20 other concerned Islanders, the names of whom Dr. Ware-Cieters has asked not to reveal.

She said others had also anonymously contacted her organisation, the League for the Protection of Animals and the Environment, to offer encouragement to her plans to oppose the show, due to visit the Island next month.

?We had a very respectable number of callers,? she said. ?It was not possible to keep a count of them.?

The letter says the event should be turned down on four grounds: because using animals for entertainment places them under stress; because transporting animals to Bermuda is difficult; because there is not sufficient veterinary expertise in dealing with exotic animals on the Island and because of the possible transfer of disease.

Ministry of Environment spokeswoman Nea Talbot said DNA Entertainment had contacted the Department of Environmental Protection about importing various species of animals for the show.

But she added: ?To date, no formal import applications have been received.?

She said the Department of Environmental Protection was engaged in discussions with DNA and had detailed specific criteria for any potential animal imports.

?Such criteria pertain to animal health and animal welfare both during transit and while in Bermuda, animal safety, public safety and the requirements of the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species,? said Ms Talbot. ?It is a condition of import that any animals qualify to return to their home country.?

Ms Talbot said background information on animal handlers had also been requested to check that they were in good standing with the relevant authorities.

A man named as Devra Hollis, from DNA Entertainment, told ZBM television news on Tuesday night that the show could include tigers, lions, alligators and bears and that the animals were from New York.

?We have our sources to bring them here,? he said. ?I can assure you that the animal trainers and the animals are of the highest standard. They are the highest quality trainers that love the animals.?

The letter from Dr. Ware-Cieters questions whether DNA will bring a qualified and equipped vet to the Island.

?The on-island licensed veterinarians have experience with domestic and farm mammals, but not of those falling outside of this description,? she writes.

The SPCA has also raised concerns about the show.

The DNA Entertainment Animal Extravaganza is set to take place from May 26 to 28 at Tiger Bay, St. George?s.