Three bears expected to perform at the 50th State Fair this summer might end up being the last wild animals to come to Hawaii for entertainment purposes.
Gov. David Ige has agreed to stop the practice of bringing wild animals for circus acts or other purely entertainment reasons, animal rights advocates and Ige’s communications director, Cindy McMillan, said Thursday.
Whether such a ban would also include creatures that are imported and perform at Sea Life Park, the Honolulu Aquarium or other venues remains to be seen.
Donna Smith, executive vice president of EK Fernandez Shows Inc., which operates the 50th State Fair, said the company has no comment at this time. But in January, Smith told the state Board of Agriculture that EK Fernandez, which has been bringing in animals since 1915, has not had an escape or incident that caused public health or safety issues.
The Humane Society of the United States, the Hawaiian Humane Society, the Three Ring Ranch and Animal Rights Hawaii — the organizations that pushed for the prohibition — will work with the state Department of Agriculture to change state rules. The rule-making process will include a public-comment period.
In the meantime the state is expected to simply reject permit requests.
The animal rights organizations said more than 40 U.S. cities and 30 countries now prohibit the use of wild animals for circuses and other performing acts.
Inga Gibson, state director of the Humane Society of the United States, thanked Ige for taking a stand against circuses and other businesses that bring in acts involving wild animals. She urged Hawaii residents to not attend events that feature the animals. "Unfortunately, (Ige’s) decision came too late for three bears who are currently en route from Florida to Hawaii for an act at the 50th State Fair," Gibson said in a news release. "These bears now represent the final chapter in our state’s history of allowing such outdated and unnecessary exhibits."
Cathy Goeggel, Animal Rights Hawaii president, said action should have been taken by the state 20 years ago after the tragic incident involving Tyke, a circus elephant. After trampling a trainer to death and severely injuring a groomer during a circus performance at Neal Blaisdell Center, Tyke escaped and ran through the streets of Kakaako before being shot 87 times by police officers. Still alive when she hit the ground, she was given a lethal injection by zoo officials.
It’s unclear whether the new ban would include animals that are imported by local aquariums and then perform, such as dolphins, sea lions and penguins.
