Bob Barker: Bear pits will hurt tourism in western NC

[G_j]

(I live in WNC. I've seen the bears, I agree with Barker)

http://www.newsobserver.com/1565/story/1627248.html

Barker: Bear pits will hurt tourism in western NC
The Associated Press
Published: Thu, Jul. 30, 2009 07:15AM


ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Former game show host and longtime animal rights activist Bob Barker predicted that tourists will avoid Cherokee Indian attractions in North Carolina until the tribe stops three local zoos from displaying bears in cramped enclosures.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported that Barker spoke Wednesday, a day after meeting leaders of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to urge them to stop the privately owned zoos on the reservation from displaying bears in pit-like enclosures and small cages.

"Things are going to change on the Cherokee reservation, I promise," Barker said at a news conference Wednesday. "This is going to be a blight on tourism. Americans love animals, and all they have to know is that animals are being abused."


Barker said all of western North Carolina, including Asheville, would feel economic repercussions if the treatment of bears at Cherokee's three roadside zoos doesn't improve. Barker wants the bears transferred to the Performing Animal Welfare Society sanctuary near Sacramento, Calif.

"We feel it's a problem for the city of Asheville having this Third World spectacle happening right at its doorstep," said Barker, who is part
American Indian and grew up on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

The tribe's principal chief, Michell Hicks, said he found the comments from Barker and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, whose representatives accompanied Barker, offensive.
..more..

[pdxmom]

1. The bear pits in Cherokee are horrendous, but they have been a

fixture there for more than 40 years, that I can remember. The last time I was in Cherokee was about 16 years ago, and I'm stunned that those pits are still around. I told my husband way back then that those would be shut down before too much longer, because of the way the bears were treated. I was obviously wrong then, and I'm afraid it's so ingrained there, that Bob Barker may be wrong now.

[nashville_brook]

2. i've stopped going to ANY animal attraction -- they all make me sad

Check out "The Cove" if you really want to get depressed about the animal entertainment complex.

http://thecovemovie.com/

[jwirr]

3. Unfortunately unless there is a federal law against it there is little we

can do other than refuse to use their businesses. I have been to zoos that have free range pens for their animals and that is much better. More educational. Public pressure may work.