[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 150 (Friday, November 2, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1979]]



                           POLAR BEARS PLIGHT

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                         HON. NEIL ABERCROMBIE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 1, 2001

  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the 
plight of seven polar bears languishing in a traveling animal show 
called the Suarez Brothers Circus. The circus is based in Mexico and 
travels around Central and South America, throughout the year, with its 
menagerie.
  In May 2001, the USFWS, in consultation with USDA, decided to issue a 
permit to allow the circus into Puerto Rico. This permit was issued 
over the objection of the Marine Mammal Commission. The Commission 
warned that the provenance of the bears was questionable and that there 
were serious deficiencies in the required paperwork for the bears. In 
June, Dr. Terry Maple, Director of Zoo Atlanta, contacted USDA and 
asserted that at least one of the bears had been imported under a false 
identity. The use of doctored or fabricated records is grounds for 
denying the circus a permit to exhibit.
  In August, during the hottest days of summer, the Puerto Rico 
Department of Natural Resources filed animal cruelty charges against 
the circus for keeping the bears in 113 degree heat without access to 
water or air conditioning. Additional charges have been added for 
maintaining the bears in ``dirty or parasitic conditions''. Their trial 
date is scheduled for January 22, 2002.
  In October, the Marine Mammal Commission again wrote to USFWS and 
APHIS and outlined the numerous violations of federal law and expressed 
a fundamental concern about the appropriateness of using polar bears 
outdoors in a tropical climate. In their letter, the Commission noted 
violations of the Animal Welfare Act reported by APHIS on eight 
separate inspections. These violations included serious charges 
including inaccessibility to water and fans, a lack of structural 
integrity in the holding pens, and a lack of veterinary care.
  Just two weeks ago, APHIS testified before the Resources Committee 
that it has inspected the circus at least eleven times since June--as 
compared to the average number of inspections being one per year. The 
USDA has documented a clear pattern of non-compliance with the bare 
minimum standards of the Animal Welfare Act.
  Mr. Speaker, these polar bears are clearly suffering and need relief. 
These animals should be confiscated and placed in facilities that are 
capable of caring for their unique needs. Members of the House and 
Senate, including the Delegate from Puerto Rico, are circulating 
letters to colleagues and to the federal agencies requesting urgent 
action in this case, including an investigation and confiscation of the 
polar bears.
  Puerto Rico is no place for polar bears.

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