HONOLULU — Animal rights activists are objecting to the Hawaii state fair booking a performing bear show.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports A Grizzly Experience is scheduled to appear for three weeks at the fair.
Animal Rights Hawaii President Cathy Goeggel says the act is a tawdry traveling show that exploits animals. She says long-distance travel is cruel.
Bear show owner Dexter Osborn says A Grizzly Experience is an educational show that allows spectators to get close to one of North America’s top predators.
State Board of Agriculture chairman Scott Enright approved an import permit for the bears in April.
A spokeswoman for the operator of the fair, Donna Smith, says her company would not get involved with a company that mistreats animals.