Casino in U-turn after tiger cubs die

26 July 2005

The RSPCA has welcomed Conrad Jupiters' decision not to import a lion for a new stage show at its casino on Queensland's Gold Coast.

Two of three tiger cubs born just more than a week ago to a tigress in the casino's Midnight Magic show have died.

A vet is monitoring the health of the survivor.

The RSPCA's Michael Beattie says Jupiters will see out the remaining contract for the tigers, which ends next month, but will not continue with tigers or lions in the new show.

"[We're] delighted, in a way, to see that Jupiters are going to stick to what they do best, which is to produce quality entertainment and an excellent gaming facility, and do both without the use of exotic live animals," Mr Beattie said.

Federal Govt blamed

Mr Beattie says exotic animals should never have been part of the casino's entertainment program.

He says the Federal Government already has laws in place to stop the importation of exotic animals for use in circuses.

"We never really did see much of a difference between a show in a casino and a circus," he said.

"So we don't think the permit should have been granted in the first place, so our main beef, if you like, has always been with the Federal Government."

Update 27 July 2005

News.com.au, Tuesday, 26 July 2005
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,16056896-29277,00.html

"...In the wake of the cubs' deaths, the casino has announced it will drop its live animal show altogether ... The casino plans to send the tigers back to Spain next month, and has abandoned moves to import a young male white lion."

Third tiger cub dies

THE Federal Government is under fire from the RSPCA following the death of a third tiger cub at a Gold Coast casino.

The cub's death late today followed those of two others in the litter, all bred at Conrad Jupiters Casino.

The cub had earlier been showing signs of improvement.

A statement released by the casino's vet said the first cub had died from "gram negative bacterial septicaemia", which was not uncommon in the newborns of any species.

"Pathology results are still pending but clinically it appears that the other two cubs suffered a similar fate following rejection by their mother on Sunday," the statement said.

"The third cub, who was the strongest, was showing signs of improvement but finally succumbed today."

The casino has been criticised for obtaining non-breeding permits to import three Bengal tigers for its Midnight Magic Show.

The subsequent accidental pregnancy of tiger Serena led to last week's birth of three cubs.

RSPCA Queensland chief executive Mark Townend said the deaths were "very unfortunate", but he was satisfied with the veterinary care provided to the cubs.

He blamed the Government, not the casino for the deaths, saying the Government, under Australian law, should never have granted the casino a permit to import the big cats.

Endangered species were to be imported only for conservation or education purposes and not - as in the casino's case - for pure entertainment, he said.

"The Government shouldn't have issued the license in the first place," Mr Townend said.

"Under the Act, circus animals are not approved for import so why should a casino be able to claim exceptional circumstances?"

Mr Townend said the casino had not been given a breeding permit because it did not have the proper environment to raise young cubs.

But a Federal Department of Environment and Heritage spokesman said the casino had met both state and federal requirements to get the permits.

"(The casino was) granted permits by the department because we were satisfied that all those conditions would be met," he said.

In the wake of the cubs' deaths, the casino has announced it will drop its live animal show altogether.

The casino plans to send the tigers back to Spain next month, and has abandoned moves to import a young male white lion.

Mr Townend praised the casino management for having the courage to admit it was wrong.