Central Wisconsin State Fair responds to tiger concerns

By Hub City Times staff
MARSHFIELD – Executive Director Dale Christiansen says the board which oversees the fair will meet July 15 to decide whether to rescind its offer to a group called “All Things Wild,” which is scheduled to bring its Royal White Tiger Discovery zoological exhibit to the fair August 20-25 in Marshfield.
The fair is responding to concerns raised by animal-rights activists and a few community members. But Christiansen says the fair is passionate about animal welfare and maintaining strict adherence to the highest of standards when it comes to ethics and animal care, and the group coming in is above board.
Christiansen says the exhibit in question is a very educational display, and it is the fair’s intent to bring people closer to the true meaning of conservation, and what’s being done to help save the last remaining wild tigers.
While there have been vocal protests against the white tiger display coming to Marshfield, Christiansen says there’s a silent majority that’s all for it.
As for presenting the white tiger display next month, Christiansen says that will be a Fair Board decision. That Board meets July 15 at 7 p.m. at the fair office. There is a public comment period at the beginning of the meeting.

White tigers are coming to the Central Wisconsin State Fair this year. Submitted photo