Tulsa World: Fair reverses decision; big-cat show will go on

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Fair reverses decision; big-cat show will go on

By KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer
Published: 9/25/2008 2:12 AM
Last Modified: 9/25/2008 2:13 AM

The Great Cat Adventures show is back on at the Tulsa State Fair.

Mark Andrus, Expo Square's interim president and CEO, said his earlier decision to cancel the show had nothing to do with complaints from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

"The decision to cancel the Great Cat Adventures exhibit at the Tulsa State Fair was based on a scarcity of space at the fairgrounds due to many new attractions that were booked," Andrus said Wednesday in a statement. "However, since the animals have already been transported to Tulsa, we felt an obligation to find space for this exhibit."

In an interview Tuesday night, Andrus noted the space constraints and said the decision to cancel the show was a "business decision based on a lot of factors."

Andrus expounded on that statement Wednesday, saying in a telephone conversation that the space originally dedicated for the cat show was now being occupied by the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office and other law-enforcement and public-safety officials.

Wayne Edwards, a spokesman for Great Cat Adventures, said he first spoke to Andrus about the cancellation on Tuesday and that Andrus would not say whether PETA was involved in the decision.

It was another Expo Square official, not Andrus, who notified the company on Friday that the $11,000 contract was being canceled because of PETA complaints, Edwards said.

"I was given the impression they were bombarded by PETA," he said.

Edwards said he didn't hear about the space problem until Wednesday.

Andrus said he decided to cancel the show on Friday but revisited the issue Tuesday after officials from Great Cat Adventures said they still wanted to be part of the fair.

After learning Wednesday morning that space could be made available on the west end of the midway, "I told them (Expo staff) to find space for them," Andrus said.

PETA initiated an e-mail campaign against the big-cat show last week.

"In addition to public safety risks, such animal displays are nothing but misery for the animals who are subjected to grueling travel, intense confinement, extreme noise, and the stress of constant interaction with people," a PETA press release states.

PETA's complaints stem from citations issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Several citations were issued for handling a tiger in a dangerous manner, PETA alleges.

Great Cat Adventures' Oklahoma license was revoked in 2007 but later reinstated.

"We went to court and had a favorable outcome with the judge is all I can say," Edwards said, adding that the company has had no problems this year and very few in the past.

He had no kind words for PETA: "PETA is not going to be happy until every animal at the fair is gone. PETA won't be happy until nobody has pets, either."

Andrus, meanwhile, said the show will receive proper oversight.

The Agriculture Department "is scheduled to be at the fairgrounds to monitor setup of the Great Cat Adventures exhibit. Expo Square staff will monitor the exhibit, as well," he said.

The big-cat show, which has been at the Tulsa State Fair the past two years, will include 10 to 12 large cats, Edwards said.

Kevin Canfield 581-8313
kevin.canfield@tulsaworld.com By KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment oldrustytulsa, Tulsa (9/25/2008 5:10:58 AM) Ok, Now am I finally gonna see, some Peta, protesters get naked in public?
	Report Comment QLC, (9/25/2008 7:03:11 AM) I'm all for naked people. This whole things smells of county corruption. If they didn't have space for the cats, why did they sign a contract? Who was the Expo official who said the reason was related to PETA? Even if it isn't fair, I would feel much better if they would just say that the Murphys didn't want the cats near their rides, or whatever other special favors were given to break the contract and subject the fairgrounds to a lawsuit for breach. At least now Andrus is finding out what it is like to have to have a different story for each question based upon which of his various bosses he spoke to last. And knowing how quickly the commissioners will throw you under the bus means that you have to be constantly working the balance between the midway operators and your country administration. Tough job. Ask Bjorklund. I hope people stay home in droves. It is time to quit funding this corruption.
	Report Comment Lawrence, Tulsa (9/25/2008 7:30:46 AM) Can anyone say "back peddle" hahaha, this had nothing to do with space. They gave into PETA.
	Report Comment QLC, (9/25/2008 7:46:49 AM) Sorry one more thing. You are correct Lawrence, they caved in to PETA. But then found they had a major problem with saying that the environment was bad for animals as they were cleaning the cow stuff off of their boots. Hmmm. How stupid do they have to be? Better yet, how stupid do they think we are?
	Report Comment scouter, Tulsa (9/25/2008 8:20:21 AM) People who Eat Tasty Animals (lol)
	Report Comment matt w, Tulsa (9/25/2008 9:45:00 AM) I am a member of THAT PETA scouter. There are quite a few tasty animals out there too. QLC you are right, this is all just a big back peddle job because they remembered that there are other animals there too and they can't claim it's because of PETA if they keep the other animals.
	Report Comment matt w, Tulsa (9/25/2008 9:45:43 AM) I know, lets all wear fur to the fair, and if PETA people throw paint on us, lets get some paint and throw back on the naked PETA people. That could be fun, I love a good paint fight.
	Report Comment Have that, America (9/25/2008 10:53:37 AM) I think I should legally be allowed to hunt vegetarians...I'm higher on the food chain then they are.
	Report Comment EufaulaLakers, Eufaula/Longtown (9/25/2008 10:55:49 AM) The Tulsa County Board of Commissioners ultimately oversees the Tulsa State Fair. Please immediately contact the commissioners and politely ask them to cancel Great Cat Adventures. Let them know that by allowing this exhibitor, they are exposing fairgoers to a possibly dangerous situation and opening the county to liability. Please send polite comments to: The Honorable John Smaligo County Commissioner Tulsa County Board of Commissioners 918-596-4647 (fax) jsmaligo@tulsacounty dot org The Honorable Randi Miller County Commissioner Tulsa County Board of Commissioners 918-596-4647 (fax) rmiller@tulsacounty dot org The Honorable Fred Perry County Commissioner Tulsa County Board of Commissioners 918-596-4647 (fax) fperry@tulsacounty dot org
	Report Comment groundhog, (9/25/2008 11:18:07 AM) This is too bad. It's not just a safety issue, but deals directly with inhumane treatment of these animals. They have had this display for several years at the fair--small chain-link cages sitting on top of black-top asphalt with extremely overweight (under exercised) cats. There is no education about the importance of preservation of these animals in their business practice, only the ply of "come get your picture taken while you feed a cuddly baby tiger cheap malnourishing baby formula!' It always makes me extremely depressed to see their animals. When you see the exhibit, you'll see how unhealthy (fat) their cats really are. This business is WAY worse than the "trained chickens" that they used to have at the fair that would challenge you at tic-tac-toe. We haven't seen this machines for years, having been branded as inhumane over a decade aho. Great Cat Adventures is deserving of the same label and should not return to future fairs.
	Report Comment Warden, (9/25/2008 12:33:37 PM) Look at the bright side: Maybe County Commissioner Randi Miller will get too close to the cat cages
	Report Comment concernedpapa, Kiefer (9/25/2008 2:30:14 PM) Eufaula Lakers/groundhog Soory but I wont be sending any letters. I am fat and close to the asphalt and you havnt helped me once.

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