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| Oxfordshire bear cub show appearance on despite protests | Oxfordshire bear cub show appearance on despite protests |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A planned appearance of three bear cubs at an annual show in Oxfordshire will go ahead despite calls from an animal welfare group for it to be dropped. | A planned appearance of three bear cubs at an annual show in Oxfordshire will go ahead despite calls from an animal welfare group for it to be dropped. |
| Animal Defenders International (ADI) said it received a complaint about the Enstone Show, to be held on Saturday. | Animal Defenders International (ADI) said it received a complaint about the Enstone Show, to be held on Saturday. |
| It posted a Facebook message on Thursday calling on supporters to email organiser Kate Farquhar-Thomson. | It posted a Facebook message on Thursday calling on supporters to email organiser Kate Farquhar-Thomson. |
| She said she had been bombarded with hundreds of protest messages but vowed the show would still go on. | She said she had been bombarded with hundreds of protest messages but vowed the show would still go on. |
| Ms Farquhar-Thomson said the emails had generally been polite but she has contacted police, who said they are aware of the situation, about abuse on Twitter and Facebook. | Ms Farquhar-Thomson said the emails had generally been polite but she has contacted police, who said they are aware of the situation, about abuse on Twitter and Facebook. |
| The European brown bear cubs are being provided by Amazing Animals, based at Heythrop Zoological Gardens. | The European brown bear cubs are being provided by Amazing Animals, based at Heythrop Zoological Gardens. |
| 'Not for entertainment' | 'Not for entertainment' |
| Ms Farquhar-Thomson said the company had provided animals for the show over a number of years, including lion cubs, camels and tarantulas. | Ms Farquhar-Thomson said the company had provided animals for the show over a number of years, including lion cubs, camels and tarantulas. |
| She said: "The bear cubs are not for entertainment they are for education. | She said: "The bear cubs are not for entertainment they are for education. |
| "Some of the messages have been abusive but I'm trying not to take it personally. | "Some of the messages have been abusive but I'm trying not to take it personally. |
| "We have had a lot of support and the bear show will go ahead as planned." | "We have had a lot of support and the bear show will go ahead as planned." |
| ADI president Jan Creamer said the group had not raised the issue at previous events as this was the first time it had received a complaint from a member of the public in advance. | ADI president Jan Creamer said the group had not raised the issue at previous events as this was the first time it had received a complaint from a member of the public in advance. |
| She added: "...we would urge people to be polite and let the facts speak for themselves. | |
| "Using wild animals for entertainment compromises their welfare, denying them of the normal, social and mental stimulation they would enjoy in their natural habitat. It is unnecessary and unethical." | |
| Jim Clubb, from Heythrop Zoological Gardens, said its premises were licensed by West Oxfordshire council and its animals regularly inspected. | Jim Clubb, from Heythrop Zoological Gardens, said its premises were licensed by West Oxfordshire council and its animals regularly inspected. |
| He said: "There will be three young bears who at no time are to be touched or petted by members of the public." | He said: "There will be three young bears who at no time are to be touched or petted by members of the public." |