CRI听力:China Bans Animal Performance in Zoos

China is halting all animal performances in zoos nationwide, alongside with a releasing a series of regulations to improve zoo management.

While the move is a sign of progress for animal rights, experts are calling for more effort in protecting zoo animals.

CRI's ZhaoYang has more details.


The mismanagement of zoos in some places in the country has caught wide attention as recent reports revealed several cases of zoo animals suffering unnatural deaths.

The Ministry of Housing and Rural-Urban Development issued the regulation to ban animal performances in 3 months and also forbid zoos from selling wildlife products.

Yuan Yaohua , deputy director of the Shanghai zoo, says the regulation comes in a time of need.

"Some zoos have animal performances which are insulting and harmful to the animals. For example, tigers are forced to jump through a ring of fire, or some animals' natural characters are exaggerated and demonized."

According to the regulations, a national check will be carried out over the next 3 months, and unqualified zoos would be closed.

Yuan Yaohua, who is in charge of a government-funded zoo, says such regulations are necessary to ensure the welfare of animals. However, he says more action should be taken, especially in privately-run zoos.

"Financial pressure is a major reason behind these violations. To better carry out the move, I think the government should further expand subsidies. Another reason is the market demand. Circuses have existed in China since ancient times, and the public is interested in interacting with animals. However, such interaction might disturb or even frighten some animals."

Sun Quanhui, a zoologist from the Wildlife Conservation Society, agrees.

He says zoos are public welfare organizations whose primary responsibilities are to preserve wildlife in artificial environment, as well as educate the public on the need to protect animals, rather than earning profit from them.

He says there are better options for zoos to perform these duties.

"For example, showing visitors the natural environment where animals live or demonstrating the lives of these animals through multi-media methods would be effective. All in all, no matter what kind of demonstration, the basic principal is not to go against the animals' natural characters, nor to put them into danger."

The expert says the regulation shows the government's determination to improve its zoo management, as it also addresses a special fund for zoo construction.
 
He hopes those improper animal performances will be completely cleared out with the imposition of the ban.

For CRI, this is Zhao Yang.