S'pore detains activist in bear suit during queen visit

SINGAPORE, March 17 (Reuters) Singapore police today briefly detained an Australian animal activist dressed in a bear suit after she staged a protest during Queen Elizabeth's official visit to the city-state.

The woman, who belongs to the group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), displayed a sign reading ''God Save the Bears'' at the Singapore president's palace.

Jodi Ruckley was protesting against the use of Canadian black bear pelts for the ceremonial hats used by the queen's guards at Buckingham Palace.

''I only got to stay there for about five minutes until the police came and dragged me away. I didn't get to see the queen, unfortunately,'' Ruckley, 33, told Reuters after her release.

The queen arrived in Singapore last night for a three-day visit on her way home from Australia where she opened the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Ruckley, who said she had seen the queen twice during similar protests in Canada and Britain, was released after a few hours.

REUTERS KD BST1430