Campaigners slam zoo’s elephant act
Print Edition
A ZOO in north China has angered animal welfare campaigners by staging elephant shows in which the beasts are made to perform handstands and martial arts moves.
Tianjin Zoo introduced two Asian elephants from the southern city of Shenzhen on May 21 to perform various stunts, including walking on stakes — a move apparently inspired by a kung fu exercise — and crossing a single-plank bridge, local media reported.
According to its own information, the zoo holds five 20-minute shows every weekday, and more at weekends and holidays. They cost 10 yuan (US$1.60).
Campaigners have accused the zoo of violating a government ban on animal shows, and environmental protection group Nature University said it has filed complaints to the zoo and the city authorities.
“It is unnatural for elephants to perform stunts like handstands, sitting and kneeling, and can cause them serious physical and mental harm,” said Hu Chunmei from Nature University.
The shows are also a safety risk to the public, as stressed elephants are more likely to run amok, Hu said.
The town planning authority in Tianjin, which oversees the zoo, said the shows are “behavioral training demonstrations,” designed to educate the public.
“They are not profit-driven,” the authority said.
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