Related News
Animal 'Olympics' draws serious backlash
By Hu Min |
September 25, 2012, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE ongoing animal "Olympics" at Shanghai Wildlife Park has come under fire over criticism from animal protection organizations, which describes the games as "animal abuse."
"The so-called 'animal Olympics' mistreats animals, which is against their natural behavior and hurts their health," said Dr Sun Quanhui with the China office of World Society for the Protection of Animals, an international non-profit animal welfare organization.
The animal "Olympic Games," which opened on Sunday, features more than 40 sports. Hundreds of animals from across the world will participate. It will run until late November.
There will be bear and gorilla "balance beam" competitions, dog and bear "hurdle races," bear "bicycle races," monkey pole climbing, bear and monkey rope-skipping and an elephant "basketball match."
An elephant named Yanu lit the "Olympic" flame by stamping a pedal during the "opening ceremony" on Sunday.
Sun said such activities usually involve punitive measures during training such as withholding food, and many animals die or suffer from injuries due to training, which can last up to a year.
"They want to attract an audience and amuse people, but it shows a lot of disrespect for creatures," Sun said, suggesting parents not bring kids to watch the games.
While some people enjoy the games, others say it's cruel.
"How poor these animals are!" said a netizen on microblog.
The park insisted they do not harm the animals.
"It is healthy sport as animals participate in the games based on their nature, like a cheetah race as they are known for their fast speed, and we use food as a reward," said Ni Li, a park press official.
A State Forestry Administration regulation makes it illegal as of last year to use animals in performances in zoos. But it does not stop other animal-related activities.
Sun said the regulation only targets zoos under the management of the administration.
In terms of animal protection, there is still a legal vacuum in China, Sun said.
Yan Jingjing, a senior official with Shanghai Wildlife Conservation Station, was unavailable for comment. The station is responsible for protecting wildlife.
In 2006, the wildlife park also held an animal games.
The event was suspended for several years after protests, including from abroad. It held a similar event last year.
"The so-called 'animal Olympics' mistreats animals, which is against their natural behavior and hurts their health," said Dr Sun Quanhui with the China office of World Society for the Protection of Animals, an international non-profit animal welfare organization.
The animal "Olympic Games," which opened on Sunday, features more than 40 sports. Hundreds of animals from across the world will participate. It will run until late November.
There will be bear and gorilla "balance beam" competitions, dog and bear "hurdle races," bear "bicycle races," monkey pole climbing, bear and monkey rope-skipping and an elephant "basketball match."
An elephant named Yanu lit the "Olympic" flame by stamping a pedal during the "opening ceremony" on Sunday.
Sun said such activities usually involve punitive measures during training such as withholding food, and many animals die or suffer from injuries due to training, which can last up to a year.
"They want to attract an audience and amuse people, but it shows a lot of disrespect for creatures," Sun said, suggesting parents not bring kids to watch the games.
While some people enjoy the games, others say it's cruel.
"How poor these animals are!" said a netizen on microblog.
The park insisted they do not harm the animals.
"It is healthy sport as animals participate in the games based on their nature, like a cheetah race as they are known for their fast speed, and we use food as a reward," said Ni Li, a park press official.
A State Forestry Administration regulation makes it illegal as of last year to use animals in performances in zoos. But it does not stop other animal-related activities.
Sun said the regulation only targets zoos under the management of the administration.
In terms of animal protection, there is still a legal vacuum in China, Sun said.
Yan Jingjing, a senior official with Shanghai Wildlife Conservation Station, was unavailable for comment. The station is responsible for protecting wildlife.
In 2006, the wildlife park also held an animal games.
The event was suspended for several years after protests, including from abroad. It held a similar event last year.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
