Casey Affleck–Voiced Robot Bear to Urge Tourists in Cherokee: ‘Stay Away From Bear Pits!’
PETA’s Moving, Talking Bear Will Tell Kids and Families How Wild Animals Suffer in Tiny, Filthy, Barren Concrete Pits
For Immediate Release:
October 19, 2016
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
What: Voiced by Manchester by the Sea star Casey Affleck, “Bernard”—PETA’s 7-foot-tall robotic bear—will be in Cherokee on Thursday with a message for tourists: Stay far away from Cherokee Bear Zoo and any other tourist trap that still confines bears to barren concrete pits or tiny pens.
When: Thursday, October 20, 12 noon–1 p.m.
Where: Front of Cherokee Bear Zoo, 119 Whitewater Dr., Cherokee
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—will display banners showing bears confined to cramped pits and pens, where they endure psychological distress and have been documented suffering from arthritis, pressure sores, and other painful, debilitating conditions. Since 2012, PETA has successfully worked to close down two other bear pits and move 56 captive bears from pits and tiny pens to sanctuaries—where they are finally free to roam, forage, climb, and swim.
“Bears belong with their families in nature, not on display in filthy concrete pits,” says Affleck. “PETA’s remarkable animatronic bear will do wonders this summer to show kids and their parents why everyone should stay away from these cruel tourist traps.”
Bernard just appeared in Asheville to warn tourists to stay away from Cherokee Bear Zoo and will head next to Charlotte.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
