The Animal Protection Society in Samoa says the country does not have the expertise or resources to care for exotic animals like the ones a circus wants to house in its planned zoo.
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Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi confirmed last week the government is leasing five acres of land at Tafaigata to the owner of Magic Circus of Samoa for a zoo and family park.
The society's Joan MacFarlane told the Samoa Observer that the animals would suffer because adequate care was not available.
Samoa only has one veterinarian with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries while the society uses a volunteer.
Dr McFarlane said neither of the vets have the time or the specialised skills to work with zoo animals.