"Performances that include feeding live animals to wild beasts
must be stopped. Wild animal performances should be standardized
and applications for wild animal performances that are contrary to
human sensibility will not be approved. Forestry authorities will
heavily penalize all relevant departments and institutions who
organize these kinds of performances," Cao Qinqyao, spokesman for
China's State Forestry Administration, stressed on the afternoon of
October 7. "People can report to local forestry authorities when
they discover these kinds of performances."
A circular issued by the State Forestry Administration on
October 4 states that performances that feed live animals to wild
beasts should be stopped. Applications for these kinds of wild
animal performances should be carefully screened so that they
follow principles to improve and protect living natural resources,
as well as actively promote their domestication and reasonable
development and utilization. "The State Forestry Administration
will severely punish authorities who approve performances that
include feeding live animals to beasts," Cao Qingyao confirmed via
the Xiaoxiang Morning Post.
The circular also includes an in-vivo marker system of live wild
animals and a name list covering six species of wild animals that
received in the in-vivo marker system in 2006. The system aims to
establish individual records for wild animals and strengthen
supervision and management as well as efficiently ensure the benign
treatment of wild animals. The circular also indicated that
publicity and education should be carried out to protest the
indiscriminate killing of wild animals.
Public welcomes the circular
The circular won applause on the Internet as long as it was
posted. Many people considered it a humanitarian move.
Zhou Guoying, deputy dean of the Resources and Environment
Department of the Central South University of Forestry and
Technology, welcomed the "prohibition." Zhou said, "The prohibition
was helpful for the improvement of Chinese animal welfare. It
protects teenagers and develops human morality."
Cruel amusement is forbidden
"There have been many bloody and cruel animal performances in
recent years around China, in cities such as Shanghai, Shenzhen and
Changsha. They have unwholesome influences on our teenagers. On the
one hand, these performances cause young people to believe that
animals are born to simply amuse people. On the other hand, it is
hard to avoid teenage violence induced by these performances," Cao
Qingyao said.
"The move also results from a humanitarian consideration," Cao
Qingyao told the Xiaoxiang Morning Post. "More and more
people object to these cruel animal shows. Feeding live animals may
have irreplaceable advantages for beasts: granted, it's especially
helpful for their nutrition and it enables them to retain their
natural savagery, but it should not be performed openly."
(China.org.cn by Yang Xi October 9, 2007)