AceShowbiz - Former "Batman" and "Birdman" star Michael Keaton has turned 'bear man' in an effort to steer fans away from roadside attractions.

The actor, who played the circus villain in the "Dumbo" remake, has joined PETA in a bid to shut down animal-exploiting tourist operations, which use bears for photo opportunities.

"In the wild, bear cubs stay with their mothers for up to two years," Keaton says, "but across the country, cubs are being taken from their mothers as infants to be used as photo props by profit-hungry exhibitors. These vulnerable cubs face lifelong psychological suffering. And because their immune systems aren't fully developed, every public encounter risks their life."

And he reveals that when they're not being used for photos, the young bears are often caged with nothing to do but pace and cry.

"It's fine to take pictures of yourself but just don't involve animals," he adds. "It's simply a question of respect, you know? They're living creatures, so I just don't like when their dignity is taken away, or they're made to look silly."