Environment     

Elephant 'kungfu' show angers rights group

Xinhua, July 7, 2014

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  An elephant walks on "plum blossom stakes" at the Tianjin Zoo. [Photo/Tianjin People's Broadcasting Station]

  
  
  

  In a reply to the group, the townscape planning authority of Tianjin that oversees the zoo said the show is a "behavioral training demonstration," which aims to promote knowledge among the public.

  "We have not employed beating or abuse in the process, and the activity is not profit-driven," it said.

  Attempts to reach the zoo for comments failed on Sunday.

  China has observed boycotts and protests against animal shows in recent years, a sign of rising public awareness on animal welfare. Last year, a zoo in northeast China fired its circuses after reports that its tigers were tied up to allow tourists to take close-up pictures made splashes online.

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