Animal circus canceled following public protests
Print Edition
A CIRCUS featuring animal performances has been canceled after citizens called for a boycott and tipped off authorities.
Promotional material for the Jinan Animal Carnival Festival, in Jinan, capital of eastern Shandong Province, appears to indicate that the shows would feature bears lying on their backs twirling flaming rods, tigers riding horses and a monkey riding a goat.
While Chinese regulations ban animal performances, it is estimated that hundreds of shows take place each year.
The local Qilu Evening News reported that citizens organized an online boycott of the nearly-three-week festival that was due to open in late September and tipped off the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, which is responsible for zoo management.
The paper said the ministry issued an “urgent notice” for the festival not to go ahead and that the organizers had refunded tickets.
Some posts on Sina Weibo microblog voiced objections to animals being made to perform for entertainment, and noted the official ban.
In 2010, the State Forestry Administration banned “direct contact between wild animals and the audience, and shows involving cruelty.”
Possible penalties include suspending a business, revoking licenses for keeping and breeding animals and sending the case to judicial authorities.
Animal rights campaigning is a growing movement in China, attracting young people and helped by the Internet.
Campaigner Li Wei, 39, who runs an online store, said through social networking, “they learn from each other and communicate knowledge in terms of how to better protect animals.”
Among groups is the Capital Animal Welfare Association, which advises the government.
Founder, Qin Xiaona, said there was still a long way to go before animal welfare entered the consciousness of Chinese mainstream society.
“In China, more and more people are participating in the protection of animal rights, but there are many people and companies still trying to commercialize animals,” she said.
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