Zoo Animal Protection, SW China

[Guest guest]

U.S. Experts Help Promote Zoo Animal Protection in SW

China

Xinhua

2006-06-26

 

The first workshop on the protection of zoo animals,

presented by experts from the United States, opened in

Chengdu Monday.

 

China has some 200 zoos and aquariums, which receive

more than 100 million visitors every year. Zoo animal

protection has attracted public attention after the

famous bear-abuse in 2002, when a college student

poured sulphuric acid on black bears at the Beijing

Zoo.

 

" We do need this kind of training to educate

visitors, " said Zhao Hui, a personnel with Chengdu

Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, " sometimes they

harm animals with their good intentions, such as

feeding the animals. "

 

Thirty-seven employees from 27 zoos in China joined

the 20-day workshop, called Academy for Conservation

Training (ACT).

 

" The program is aimed at creating a community of zoo

educators, " Shelly Lakly, vice chair of Zoo Atlanta,

said, " and we expect them to become professionals

connecting public and animals as well as missionaries

of zoo animal protection. "

 

" The situation looks better than I expected such as

the physical environment and I can see Chengdu Zoo is

open to learn, " Joe Heimlich, an expert with the

Institute for Learning Innovation, said.

 

" We need to create more public awareness of zoo animal

protection, such as not to throw a bottle to make them

move, " he added.

 

http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/2946/2006/06/26/421 (AT) 107092 (DOT) htm

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Zoo Atlanta around the world/

Educator Training Curriculum

 

http://www.zooatlanta.org/research_animal_behavior_asia.htm

 

 

 

 

 

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