Report highlights zoo animal abuse
Source: Agencies |
August 15, 2010, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
Performing animals in Chinese zoos and parks are often trained using abusive practices, including routine beatings and are housed in inadequate shelters, according to a report by a Hong Kong-based animal welfare group.
Bears are regularly whipped and beaten with sticks, elephants are prodded with metal hooks, and tigers and lions are defanged and declawed, causing them chronic pain, said the Animals Asia Foundation in a 28-page report.
The group surveyed animal performances and living conditions at 13 zoos and safari parks in China over a yearlong period until this August.
"The combined aspects of performances, abusive training methods and inadequate housing conditions are causing severe animal suffering for many thousands of performing animals across China," the report said.
Earlier this year, the problem of animal mistreatment in China was highlighted with the reported deaths of 11 rare Siberian tigers at the Shenyang Forest Wild Animal Zoo in the frigid northeast over a three-month period.
The tigers had reportedly starved to death after being fed nothing but chicken bones for weeks.
Financial profits
Last month, the State Forestry Administration ordered a crackdown against operations that mistreated wild animals for performance purposes.
The order criticized animal parks for being "obsessed about financial profits while not paying enough attention to protective measures. Illegitimate methods are taken in treating wild animals. This not only brings potential risk to the endangered wild species and the public health, but also tarnishes China's role and reputation in protecting wild animals."
The Animals Asia Foundation said black bears are the most popular animal performers, typically forced to ride bicycles, tricycles and even horses.
The bears were regularly whipped or beaten with sticks by their trainers, it said.
"Animal performances portray the animal to the public in a humiliating way that does not promote empathy and respect.
"There is little educational value in seeing animals in conditions that do not resemble their natural habitat," said David Neale, the group's animal welfare director.
Bears are regularly whipped and beaten with sticks, elephants are prodded with metal hooks, and tigers and lions are defanged and declawed, causing them chronic pain, said the Animals Asia Foundation in a 28-page report.
The group surveyed animal performances and living conditions at 13 zoos and safari parks in China over a yearlong period until this August.
"The combined aspects of performances, abusive training methods and inadequate housing conditions are causing severe animal suffering for many thousands of performing animals across China," the report said.
Earlier this year, the problem of animal mistreatment in China was highlighted with the reported deaths of 11 rare Siberian tigers at the Shenyang Forest Wild Animal Zoo in the frigid northeast over a three-month period.
The tigers had reportedly starved to death after being fed nothing but chicken bones for weeks.
Financial profits
Last month, the State Forestry Administration ordered a crackdown against operations that mistreated wild animals for performance purposes.
The order criticized animal parks for being "obsessed about financial profits while not paying enough attention to protective measures. Illegitimate methods are taken in treating wild animals. This not only brings potential risk to the endangered wild species and the public health, but also tarnishes China's role and reputation in protecting wild animals."
The Animals Asia Foundation said black bears are the most popular animal performers, typically forced to ride bicycles, tricycles and even horses.
The bears were regularly whipped or beaten with sticks by their trainers, it said.
"Animal performances portray the animal to the public in a humiliating way that does not promote empathy and respect.
"There is little educational value in seeing animals in conditions that do not resemble their natural habitat," said David Neale, the group's animal welfare director.
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