SAMPLE LETTER / Chinese Animal Olympics

[Guest guest]

LETTER/ Chinese Animal Olympics Spark Worldwide Rage

http://www.KinshipCircle.org

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

I respectfully ask you to make enforceable animal protection laws a priority

before the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. China's global image continues to

deteriorate as it allows horror shows such as the recent Animal Olympics at

the Shanghai Wild Animal Park. This absurd spectacle reinforced the call for

a boycott of Chinese tourism, goods, and the 2008 Olympic Games.

 

To turn China's " Golden Week " holiday (in early October) into a moneymaker,

Shanghai's fourth annual Animal Olympics forced over 300 animals --

including cheetahs, lions, tigers, bears, macaques, poodles, a Golden

Monkey, a chimpanzee, a zebra, a llama and an elephant -- to execute foolish

tricks against a backdrop of loud pop music.

 

Among the appalling images to emerge in international press, juvenile Moon

Bears pummel each other in a staged boxing match. Other Moon Bears must

stand and clap their hands for an entire day. A black bear poised unsteadily

atop a small scooter has to peddle a human performer across a tightrope. Two

more bears wobble dangerously on horses who parade before spectators.

 

Gloved kangaroos are punched in the head during staged fights with trainers

dressed as clowns. A cycling monkey is bound to a child's bike by the collar

and chimpanzees are coerced into lifting heavy weights. Poodles balance on

their hind legs for hours. Sea lions lumber through a high-jump event.

Zebras are goaded over hurdles as they race around a track and an elephant

is coaxed into clutching a torch in his sensitive torch.

 

Clearly, trainers must bully wild animals into performing unnatural stunts

in close proximity to onlookers. To pose with people for photos that cost

around $1.25-2.50 in U.S. currency, animals are chained and crudely

declawed. Many, like one brown bear in a sailor suit, have their mouths

wired shut. One blind, clawless Moon Bear is prodded with a metal stick each

time he fidgets during daylong photo sessions.

 

If China hopes to mend its stunning record of animal abuse, the government

must make visible strides to protect wild and companion animals. Bear bile

farms, live animal markets, the dog/cat fur trade, and sweeping dog

massacres as a form of rabies " control " tarnish your reputation. Exhibits

such as an Animal Olympics further degrade Chinese culture -- even more so

as the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games promotes a " Green

Olympics " and " One World One Dream " slogan.

 

Yes, human and non-human animals DO share " One World " and the Olympics

ought to celebrate life. Exhibitions of human mastery over terrified animals

do not fulfill this vision. Ongoing negative media attention may ensure this

is China's last Olympics.

 

Please keep me informed of new legislation to safeguard wild and domestic

animals from all forms of abuse. I am eager to know about any action to

initiate momentous reforms for animals in China.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

CHINESE EMBASSIES IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

Write to the embassy in your country only. See:

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/embassy_list.htm

http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zwjg/2490/default.htm

 

 

TO: China National Tourist Offices

cnto, toronto, ny,

la, london, frankfurt,

madrid, paris, singapore,

sydney, tokyo, osaka,

kathmandu, seoul, zurich,

atec

 

AND TO: BEIJING 2008 Olympic Games

2008, mishubu,

zongti, international,

sports, xuanchuan,

guihua, environment,

marketing, technology,

legal, gamesservices,

jiancha, renshi,

caiwu, wenhua,

security, mediaoperations,

VEM, paralympic,

transport, OTR,

accreditation

 

 

More on:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=4076\

93 & in_page_id=1770

 

and:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=4074\

35 & in_page_id=1770

 

 

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