(CN) Residents in uproar over wildlife park plan

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Residents in uproar over wildlife park plan

By Wu Jiao (China Daily)

Updated: 2006-07-25

 

NANJING: A wildlife park in a densely populated urban

area? It sounds like a recipe for disaster.

 

With a pride of lions, a pack of wolves and an ambush

of tigers about to move into the neighbourhood, it is

little wonder residents of Changzhou in East China's

Jiangsu Province are going ape.

 

" There will be dangerous wild animals like tigers and

snakes! What happens if they get violent and escape

from the zoo? " exclaimed Han Dongju, a local woman in

her 20s.

 

The park, located in the former Yancheng Forest Garden

of the city's Wujin District, is only half a kilometre

away from the nearest residential area, and 8

kilometres from the downtown area.

 

The local government, which announced the plans last

week, has said that instead of being caged, the

majority of the animals in the park will wander about

freely in their own designated areas.

 

In addition to safety concerns, local people also fear

that the waste generated by the animals, if not

properly treated, could create a stench and cause

disease.

 

But Xu Weiyong, manager of the park, said: " the

construction plan has taken safety and environment

protection factors into consideration. "

 

To prevent animals from escaping, the park will be

circled by a 3-metre-high wall equipped with an

electronic alarm system.

 

Trenches, 7 metres wide and 4 metres deep, will be dug

within the park to prevent the animals from leaving

their own designated areas.

 

Animals include lions, tigers, snakes, elephants,

leopards, wolves and bears.

 

An advanced waste management system will also be built

within the park to avoid pollution.

 

Xu said that the plans have been approved by experts

from other zoos and they reach the required

international safety standards.

 

" The Yancheng forest garden site provides a natural

living place for these animals, " said Xu.

 

" And as it is close to the city, it will be cheap to

visit the new park, which will give more people the

chance to see it and learn. "

 

With a total investment of 380 million yuan (US$47.5

million), the project covers an area of 133 hectares.

Its first phase, which is the interaction zone between

harmless animals and tourists, will be finished next

March and put into operation next May.

 

However, concerns of local people are not the only

bone of contention. Some people say living in close

proximity to humans may hurt the animals.

 

" The new wildlife park is just too close to the

residential and commercial area. The constant traffic

will definitely drive some animals crazy, " said Lu

Wen, a local citizen.

 

" Also, as the city is expanding quickly, the park will

come nearer and nearer to the residential area, and

someday it will be completely encircled. "

 

According to Jiang Xiaodi, chairman of the Wild Animal

Protection Association in Suzhou, in addition to the

function of sightseeing and providing an educational

platform, an important role of a wildlife park is to

protect rare and endangered wild animals and ensure

them a comfortable life.

 

" Without careful planning and accommodation, wild

animals might gradually lose their reproductive

capability or even die if the new living environment

and lifestyle in the park differs too much from their

original habitat, " said Jiang.

 

For instance, Jiang mentions that fireworks will

certainly cause animals such as wolves distress.

 

The park is the only one of its kind in the country

located in a densely populated area. Several big

cities including Beijing and Xi'an have relocated

their wildlife parks to remote suburbs.

 

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/home/2006-07/25/content_648359.htm

 

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