(CN) Fatal attacks highlight lack of animal welfare in zoos

[Guest guest]

Fatal attacks highlight lack of animal welfare in zoos

www.chinaview.cn

2010-01-09

 

ZHENGZHOU, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese experts and wildlife activists are

calling for improved animal welfare in zoos after two deadly attacks on keepers

by hungry beasts in central Henan Province last month.

 

On Dec. 31, a zookeeper surnamed Ming was savaged to death by an adult

African lion while he was sweeping the cage at the NanhaiPark in Henan's

Zhumadian City. Local authorities are investigating the incident.

 

On Dec. 2, keeper Xie Jian, at the Songyang Park in Dengfeng City, was

killed by a black bear while feeding the animal. The zoo was ordered to suspend

operations and the victim's family was given 120,000 yuan (17,647 U.S. dollars)

in compensation.

 

In both cases, zoo managers blamed human error for the attacks, saying the

keepers had not followed usual procedures to drive the animals to neighboring

cages to be tightly locked up before entering the first cage.

 

" That is commonsense for animal keepers. We have offered training, but Ming

did not abide by the rules, " said Zhao Yanmei, a manager of the Zhumadian zoo.

 

But relatives of the keepers refused to believe the explanations, saying no

proof had been found to demonstrate they had ignored procedures.

 

Xie had worked for two years and Ming for only four days when they died.

 

ATTACK OF HUNGER

 

Leaving aside the controversy over whether proper procedures were followed,

police say they believe the two animals were hungry when the attacks happened,

which the zoo managers do not deny.

 

The zoos -- both privately operated -- have been facing financial

difficulties and lax supervision.

 

The Dengfeng zoo, covering about 2,667 square meters, opened in1999. It has

black bears, lions and camels among its attractions.

 

The Zhumadian zoo, covering about 2,000 square meters, opened in 2000 and

has 11 large, aggressive animals, including tigers, lions, leopards, black bears

and wolves.

 

" The large animals eat 100 to 150 kg meat a day, and we need to spend 60,000

to 70,000 yuan on them a month, plus medical bills, " Zhao said.

 

" But the whole year's ticket revenue is only 100,000 yuan. A ticket sells

for five yuan, and we usually sell no more than 20 a day, " she said.

 

In addition to hunger, the animals' living conditions are poor at the

Zhumadian zoo. Two lions crowd into a single cage of about 8 square meters and

four tigers live in cages between only 4 and 8 square meters.

 

The Dengfeng zoo has a poor business record, and its managers have been

taken to court by the Songyang Park for contract disputes.

 

" According to regulations, zoos must receive an annual examination to ensure

they are qualified for raising animals. But after the bear attack, investigators

found the Dengfeng zoo had not done so for a decade, " said an official surnamed

Shang, of the Wildlife Protection Department under the Forestry Bureau of

Zhengzhou City, which administers Dengfeng.

 

The forestry authorities were looking into all small zoos in Zhengzhou to

see if their operations are up to standard, he said.

 

TAKEOVER BY GOVERNMENT?

 

Poor conditions for zoo animals can be found nationwide.

 

China has more than 200 zoos, according to the Chinese Association of

Zoological Gardens. But only the large zoos in a few cities such as Beijing and

Shanghai receive government funding and attention.

 

" Privately-run zoos always face difficulties. Their animals are often living

in poor conditions and endure the whippings, and many are thin and weak with

disease, " said Zhu Ke, an education manager of the Animals Asia Foundation, a

non-governmental organization based in Hong Kong.

 

" Private zoos aim for profits and do not pay enough attention to animal

welfare. The attacks on keepers are usually caused by hunger, " he said.

 

He suggested that the number of zoos should be greatly reduced.

 

" If a zoo is to be opened, whether it's private or government-run, the

managers should prepare emergency plans to cope with difficult situations. "

 

Prof. Shi Pu, who specializes in economic management at Henan University of

Finance and Economics, said zoos should be funded by the government as a public

service and private capital should be prohibited.

 

" Privately-run zoos usually have a small area and limited number of animals,

which prevent them from earning profits in a sustainable way. In addition, lack

of human resources, animal resources, capital and management capability always

lead to a poor business record, " he said.

 

" I think the government should take over zoos in difficulties, for the sake

of animal welfare, " he said.

 

Zhang Dongyang, founder of the Dengfeng zoo who had ended his lease with the

park, also believes government takeover is the best solution.

 

" But, look at the awful mess, I am afraid the government does not want it, "

he said.

 

Editor: Zhang Xiang

 

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/09/content_12780000.htm