China's cruel animal Olympics reach new heights

[Guest guest]

Un-bear-able: China's cruel animal Olympics reach new heights

4th October 2006, The Daily Mail UK

Cruel olympics: Animal rights campaigners are outraged at the latest

pictures to emerge from China

A black bear perches precariously on a scooter and is forced to drive a

circus performer across a tightrope.

 

This shocking image is just the latest picture to emerge from the barbaric

Animal Olympic Games in China, a country with a shameful animal rights

record.

 

The event has provoked outrage and serious concerns among animal rights

groups around the world including The Captive Animals' Protection Society.

 

Craig Redmond, UK-based campaigns manager, said: " The things these animals

are being made to do are not natural acts, and there will no doubt be

cruelty involved in making them perform these tricks. "

 

Shirley Galligan from the Born Free foundation added: " This is degrading for

the animals, insulting to our intelligence and a disaster for any possible

chance of increasing respect for the wild animals we share the world with.

The Shanghai Animal Olympics is about domination and manipulation. "

 

Previous pictures from the 'games' have included kangaroos being forced to

take part in boxing matches with their supposed keepers and a monkey cycling

while tied by the collar to the children's bike.

 

Other events have included a sea lion high jump and a tug of war between an

elephant and members of the audience, with more than 300 animals taking

part.

 

The forth of the biannual events at the Shanghai Wildlife Park has attracted

thousands of visitors, including rapturous school children.

 

But the 'cruelty Olympics' are being held just before the human Olympics

take place in Beijing. The Captive Animals' Protection Society is writing to

the Chinese Ambassador in London to complain about the event.

 

" The abuse of the animals is clear. The bears, for example, will be very

distressed at being forced to wear muzzles, chained and made to fight, " said

Redmond.

 

From Born Free:

' In addition to the 'sporting' events, visitors to Shanghai Wild Animal

Park were able to have their photograph taken with a number of wild animals,

including moon bears who were forced to stand and clap their front paws all

day; poodles balanced on their hind legs; and a brown bear in a sailor suit

who had its mouth wired shut to help prevent it harming the visitors. In an

effort to protect visitors, animals used as photographic props often have

their teeth and claws removed, and may also be sedated or chained so tightly

that they are barely able to move for many hours at a time. Unfortunately

many visitors supported this unethical practice by paying the equivalent of

$1.25-2.50 US dollars for pictures with the animals. Like-minded animal

welfare organisation, Animals Asia, visited Shanghai Wild Animal Park as

soon as they heard about the games. One of the many horrors they observed

was a blind, de-clawed moon bear being prodded with a metal stick every time

he fidgeted during the photographic session. '

 

Pics:

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2006/10/Blackbear_460x700.jpg

[bear rides on tightrope]

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/img/galleries/animalcircus2/animaldayG_350x256.jp

g

[unnatural behaviours forced]

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/img/galleries/animalcircus2/animalday1G_350x224.j

pg

[bears forced to box each other]

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/img/galleries/animalcircus2/animalcircus2AP_228x1

64.jpg

[bears forced to ride horses]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=

407435 & in_page_id=1770

[kangaroo forced to box human clown]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=

395200 & in_page_id=1770

[horses forced to fight each other]

 

TAKE ACTION

Write to the Chinese Ambassador in your country, asking for an immediate end

to the Animal Olympics. There is a sample letter further down.

 

Email the China National Tourist Office (CNTO) in your country

 

The National Tourist Office will be sensitive to the image that China is

projecting overseas to potential tourists. The email addresses of the main

China National Tourist Offices around the world can be found at:

http://www.tourismchina-ca.com/about.html

Please then cllck on the link 17 overseas tourist offices to view all of the

email addresses for the main China Tourist offices worldwide.

 

Email the Chinese Embassy in your country

 

It is always a good idea to let your opinion be known to the Chinese Embassy

in your country, as they tend to be sensitive to public opinion. You can

locate the Chinese Embassy address in your country by visiting this website:

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/

embassy/embassy_list.htm

 

SAMPLE LETTER TO SEND:

 

Sample Letter calling for legislation

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

I am writing to you to express my concerns and horror at the recent " Animal

Olympics " held at the Shanghai Wild Animal Park. Cruel and archaic events

such as these reflect poorly upon modern China and serve only to tar your

international image. The use of animals for entertainment is being phased

out in many countries as more and more people recognise the suffering and

misery of life in captivity for performing animals. In the light of the

upcoming 2008 Beijing " Green Olympics " , it is truly tragic that facilities

such as these are still in existence. I urge you to do all that you can to

encourage the Chinese Government to implement comprehensive legislation to

protect both wild and domestic animals from all forms of abuse. I look

forward to hearing of positive changes in the immediate future.

 

Yours truly,

[your name and address]