Animal Olympics show cancelled after complaints

[Guest guest]

Copyright 2006 South China Morning Post Ltd.

 

 

South China Morning Post

 

November 22, 2006 Wednesday

 

Animal Olympics show cancelled after complaints

 

Lillian Yang

 

 

A popular performance and photo opportunities have been halted at

the Shanghai Wild Animal Park after an outcry from animal rights

activists, including the Hong Kong-based Animals Asia Foundation.

 

But park spokesman Su Feilong would not rule out the return of

the " Animal Olympics " show in the future. " We heard there were a

small number of people, especially some foreigners, who objected to

this show so we stopped it, " Mr Su said yesterday.

 

The show, originally scheduled to run from last month to the end of

this month, included 300 animals, ranging from monkeys to elephants,

competing in events such as soccer matches, bicycle races and

gymnastics.

 

The park also charged people to take photos with the animals,

including tiger cubs, but some children were injured while posing

with them. Witnesses have allegedly seen keepers shouting at and

hitting the animals to make them pose for the pictures.

 

The show provoked complaints from the Animals Asia Foundation, which

petitioned Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng and tourism authorities to shut

it down, saying the animals were suffering from " barbaric " training

methods.

 

However, park officials denied the animals were mistreated. " We are

not cruel to animals. We don't strike them with whips. We mainly

guide them using food, " Mr Su said.

 

This year marked the fourth time the show formed part of events for

the National Day holiday.