The HSUS Applauds Feds for Seizure of Bears: Polar Bears Rescued from Tropical Traveling Circus

11/7/2002

From: Karen Allanach of the Humane Society of the United States 301-548-7778 or kallanach@hsus.org

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 -- After more than a year of suffering in the sweltering heat of Puerto Rico, the six remaining polar bears of the Circo Hermanos Suarez (Suarez Brothers Circus), a traveling show that tours the Caribbean and Central and South America, have been confiscated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The Humane Society of the United States (The HSUS) opposed allowing the bears (originally numbering seven) into U.S. territory when the circus sought to import them in April 2001. The FWS ignored all arguments and issued an import permit and the HSUS and other animal protection groups have been pressuring the federal agency to seize the bears ever since.

The polar bears will go to appropriate zoo facilities in the United States, including the Detroit Zoo. The Detroit Zoo has long offered to house the bears on at least a temporary basis, should they be confiscated. "Although it took a frustratingly long time for the FWS to do the right thing, it is done at last," said Naomi Rose, marine mammal scientist for the HSUS. "Hopefully the bears will respond positively to their improved conditions."

In March 2002, the FWS seized one bear, a female with fraudulent export paperwork, and sent her to the Baltimore Zoo where she is doing well. The remaining six were left to languish in the tropical heat of Puerto Rico. The plight of the bears attracted the attention of Congress. More than 70 members of the U.S House and Senate signed letters, and some made strong public statements urging the federal government to take action to ensure the humane treatment of the bears. Also in March, Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced the Polar Bear Protection Act, which would ban the use of polar bears in traveling shows or circuses. The bill has strong support in Congress, including about 40 original cosponsors.

Since last summer, when conditions clearly became intolerable for the polar bears, the HSUS stepped up the pressure, going to members of Congress asking for their help to get the FWS and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (of the USDA) to confiscate the bears.

"It is a great relief that the Fish and Wildlife Service finally stepped in and seized the bears," said Wayne Pacelle, a HSUS senior vice president. "These bears have languished in inhumane conditions for too long. The Polar Bear Protection Act, if passed into law, will prevent other polar bears from enduring the same fate as the Suarez seven. Opportunists will continue to exploit these magnificent symbols of Arctic wildlife if a federal law is not enacted."

On at least two occasions, the Suarez Circus announced their intention to take the bears to another Caribbean island. In each case, before a decision on issuing permits could even be made, the receiving island declined to accept the bears. The Circus still traveled to these venues, but without the bears. The condition of the bears, left behind and apparently occasionally still performing for the few Puerto Rican towns that hadn't yet seen the show, deteriorated. A U.S. zoo veterinarian visited the current holding location recently and found deplorable conditions. Subsequently, the FWS seized the bears; citing violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Circus' display permit provisions.

------ The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than seven million members and constituents. The HSUS is dedicated to protecting all animals through legislation, education, investigation, litigation, advocacy and fieldwork. The HSUS has programs protecting wildlife, companion animals, farm animals and animals in research. The HSUS is headquartered in Washington, DC and has 10 regional offices. Visit the HSUS on the Web at www.hsus.org