RE: SPAM-MID RE: China: Gore draws Chinese to animal parks

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone. I would like to add my name to those interested in this

report. I would much appreciate it if any of you know how I might

obtain a copy. Many thanks!

 

Barbara

 

Dr Barbara Maas

Chief Executive, Care for the Wild International

The Granary, Tickfold Farm, Kingsfold, West Sussex, RH12 3SE

tel: +44-1306-627 900

fax: +44-1306-627 901

e-mail: bmaas

web: www.careforthewild.com

 

 

 

Kirsten Conrad [asiacat]

01 March 2005 02:36

aapn

SPAM-MID RE: China: Gore draws Chinese to animal parks

 

 

Linda-or anyone, do you know where I can get a copy of the report?

 

Thank you,

 

Kirsten Conrad

 

 

Linda J. Howard [lindajhoward]

Monday, February 28, 2005 8:05 PM

aapn

China: Gore draws Chinese to animal parks

 

 

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/213773_pac28.html

 

Monday, February 28, 2005

 

Pacific Currents: Gore draws Chinese to animal parks

 

By JULIE CHAO

COX NEWS SERVICE

 

HARBIN, China -- Cameras and videos are ready. Kids' noses are pressed

to

the windows. Chinese tourists packed into a minibus are on the lookout

for

Siberian tigers, one of the most endangered species in the world.

 

While some of these visitors may be animal lovers, they have not paid $7

apiece merely to drive around and admire the huge felines lounging about

in

their snowy compounds.

 

They are here to see some action. But first, they must pay.

 

" You can buy a domesticated chicken for 40 yuan ($4.80) or for 100 yuan

($12.10) you can buy a wild one, which flies, " the driver announces.

" The

effect is much different; it's exceptionally thrilling. "

 

In their hourlong tour of this park, tourists will watch ravenous tigers

chasing down live chickens, sheep and cows. Feathers will be plucked and

limbs torn by the 300-pound cats while the tourists gasp, scream, cheer

and

recoil at the carnage.

 

Wild animals for human entertainment have become big business in China.

In

just a decade, almost 30 " wild animal parks, " with tens of thousands of

tigers, lions, monkeys, deer and other animals, have opened.

 

The first opened in the southern city of Shenzhen 12 years ago. When it

became a huge success, it spawned others. Many of the investors -- some

of

them local governments, some of them private companies -- knew and cared

little about animals.

 

Like many new industries in China, this one grew quickly without

government

oversight. Several people have been mauled to death at parks. Because

China

has no laws on animal welfare or independent animal rights groups,

living

conditions and treatment of the animals vary widely.

 

One park put a turtle in a glass box and allowed people to throw coins

at it

so they could try to hit its shell. At another, a tiger's head was

chained

down so that children could climb on its back for photos.

 

A few parks even allow visitors to pay extra to watch a live horse get

devoured by lions and tigers.

 

But in a sign of the nascent civil society and emerging activist spirit

here, a group of college students took it upon themselves to investigate

the

industry last year. They visited 21 wild animal parks and issued their

scathing report in December.

 

" Their sole goal is profit, " said Athena Liu, a 23-year-old graduate

student

at Beijing Normal University and one of the authors. " The parks will do

anything to attract visitors. If the visitors want it, they'll do it.

 

" Sometimes they starve the lions and tigers to make them perform

better, "

she said.

 

The students also found evidence that animals were imported illegally

and

bred unscientifically. One park veterinarian told them the death rate is

quite high, and that of all his tasks, what he does the most is conduct

necropsies.

 

Harbin's Siberian Tiger Park is one of the few wild animal parks that is

not

purely commercial. It also receives some government support for breeding

programs. There are believed to be only a dozen or so Siberian tigers in

the

wild in China, with 300 in Russia.

Wang Ligang said the park has barely enough money to feed its

nearly 500 tigers. Much as he loathes the idea of the feeding

performances,

it's an economic necessity.

 

After the driver announces the chicken prices, 100 yuan notes are passed

up

to the front of the bus.

 

A white jeep drives up and a wild chicken is quickly tossed out. With an

easy swipe of a paw, a tiger quickly captures it, and then again with a

second chicken.

 

The tourists start griping. They were promised a chase, and they call

for

another flying chicken. The driver talks into his radio. Another bird is

released.

 

This time it stands on the roof of the jeep for several minutes while

the

tigers circle. Suspense builds. Cameras are readied. Suddenly the bird

takes

off, flying straight into the bus window. The tigers give chase.

Everyone

screams. Since the bird can't fly very high, a tiger catches it within

seconds.

 

Chinese tourists say the park is good for tiger conservation.

 

" The tigers have to eat. The only difference is whether you see it or

not, "

said Lu Yingwu, who was visiting from Shenzhen with his wife and

7-year-old

son.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

we'll make enquiries about this and let everyone know, Jill.

 

Jill Robinson MBE

Founder & CEO

Animals Asia Foundation

 

ANIMALS ASIA HAS A BRAND NEW WEBSITE!

Find out more about the " China Bear Rescue " and " Friends.....or Food "

http://www.animalsasia.org

 

 

 

Barbara Maas wrote:

 

>Hello everyone. I would like to add my name to those interested in this

>report. I would much appreciate it if any of you know how I might

>obtain a copy. Many thanks!

>

>Barbara

>

>Dr Barbara Maas

>Chief Executive, Care for the Wild International

>The Granary, Tickfold Farm, Kingsfold, West Sussex, RH12 3SE

>tel: +44-1306-627 900

>fax: +44-1306-627 901

>e-mail: bmaas

>web: www.careforthewild.com

>

>

>

>Kirsten Conrad [asiacat]

>01 March 2005 02:36

>aapn

>SPAM-MID RE: China: Gore draws Chinese to animal parks

>

>

>Linda-or anyone, do you know where I can get a copy of the report?

>

>Thank you,

>

>Kirsten Conrad

>

>

>Linda J. Howard [lindajhoward]

>Monday, February 28, 2005 8:05 PM

>aapn

> China: Gore draws Chinese to animal parks

>

>

>http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/213773_pac28.html

>

>Monday, February 28, 2005

>

>Pacific Currents: Gore draws Chinese to animal parks

>

>By JULIE CHAO

>COX NEWS SERVICE

>

>HARBIN, China -- Cameras and videos are ready. Kids' noses are pressed

>to

>the windows. Chinese tourists packed into a minibus are on the lookout

>for

>Siberian tigers, one of the most endangered species in the world.

>

>While some of these visitors may be animal lovers, they have not paid $7

>apiece merely to drive around and admire the huge felines lounging about

>in

>their snowy compounds.

>

>They are here to see some action. But first, they must pay.

>

> " You can buy a domesticated chicken for 40 yuan ($4.80) or for 100 yuan

>($12.10) you can buy a wild one, which flies, " the driver announces.

> " The

>effect is much different; it's exceptionally thrilling. "

>

>In their hourlong tour of this park, tourists will watch ravenous tigers

>chasing down live chickens, sheep and cows. Feathers will be plucked and

>limbs torn by the 300-pound cats while the tourists gasp, scream, cheer

>and

>recoil at the carnage.

>

>Wild animals for human entertainment have become big business in China.

>In

>just a decade, almost 30 " wild animal parks, " with tens of thousands of

>tigers, lions, monkeys, deer and other animals, have opened.

>

>The first opened in the southern city of Shenzhen 12 years ago. When it

>became a huge success, it spawned others. Many of the investors -- some

>of

>them local governments, some of them private companies -- knew and cared

>little about animals.

>

>Like many new industries in China, this one grew quickly without

>government

>oversight. Several people have been mauled to death at parks. Because

>China

>has no laws on animal welfare or independent animal rights groups,

>living

>conditions and treatment of the animals vary widely.

>

>One park put a turtle in a glass box and allowed people to throw coins

>at it

>so they could try to hit its shell. At another, a tiger's head was

>chained

>down so that children could climb on its back for photos.

>

>A few parks even allow visitors to pay extra to watch a live horse get

>devoured by lions and tigers.

>

>But in a sign of the nascent civil society and emerging activist spirit

>here, a group of college students took it upon themselves to investigate

>the

>industry last year. They visited 21 wild animal parks and issued their

>scathing report in December.

>

> " Their sole goal is profit, " said Athena Liu, a 23-year-old graduate

>student

>at Beijing Normal University and one of the authors. " The parks will do

>anything to attract visitors. If the visitors want it, they'll do it.

>

> " Sometimes they starve the lions and tigers to make them perform

>better, "

>she said.

>

>The students also found evidence that animals were imported illegally

>and

>bred unscientifically. One park veterinarian told them the death rate is

>quite high, and that of all his tasks, what he does the most is conduct

>necropsies.

>

>Harbin's Siberian Tiger Park is one of the few wild animal parks that is

>not

>purely commercial. It also receives some government support for breeding

>programs. There are believed to be only a dozen or so Siberian tigers in

>the

>wild in China, with 300 in Russia.

>

>Director Wang Ligang said the park has barely enough money to feed its

>nearly 500 tigers. Much as he loathes the idea of the feeding

>performances,

>it's an economic necessity.

>

>After the driver announces the chicken prices, 100 yuan notes are passed

>up

>to the front of the bus.

>

>A white jeep drives up and a wild chicken is quickly tossed out. With an

>easy swipe of a paw, a tiger quickly captures it, and then again with a

>second chicken.

>

>The tourists start griping. They were promised a chase, and they call

>for

>another flying chicken. The driver talks into his radio. Another bird is

>released.

>

>This time it stands on the roof of the jeep for several minutes while

>the

>tigers circle. Suspense builds. Cameras are readied. Suddenly the bird

>takes

>off, flying straight into the bus window. The tigers give chase.

>Everyone

>screams. Since the bird can't fly very high, a tiger catches it within

>seconds.

>

>Chinese tourists say the park is good for tiger conservation.

>

> " The tigers have to eat. The only difference is whether you see it or

>not, "

>said Lu Yingwu, who was visiting from Shenzhen with his wife and

>7-year-old

>son.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi all, we've been advised it was a report sponsored by WSPA who require

approval before the report can be circulated. Could someone from WSPA

please clarify this and allow the report to go out? Thanks, Jill.

 

Jill Robinson MBE

Founder & CEO

Animals Asia Foundation

 

ANIMALS ASIA HAS A BRAND NEW WEBSITE!

Find out more about the " China Bear Rescue " and " Friends.....or Food "

http://www.animalsasia.org

 

 

 

Jill Robinson wrote:

 

> we'll make enquiries about this and let everyone know, Jill.

>

> Jill Robinson MBE

> Founder & CEO

> Animals Asia Foundation

>

> ANIMALS ASIA HAS A BRAND NEW WEBSITE!

> Find out more about the " China Bear Rescue " and " Friends.....or Food "

> http://www.animalsasia.org

>

>

>

> Barbara Maas wrote:

>

>> Hello everyone. I would like to add my name to those interested in this

>> report. I would much appreciate it if any of you know how I might

>> obtain a copy. Many thanks!

>>

>> Barbara

>>

>> Dr Barbara Maas

>> Chief Executive, Care for the Wild International

>> The Granary, Tickfold Farm, Kingsfold, West Sussex, RH12 3SE

>> tel: +44-1306-627 900

>> fax: +44-1306-627 901

>> e-mail: bmaas

>> web: www.careforthewild.com

>>

>>

>>

>> Kirsten Conrad [asiacat]

>> 01 March 2005 02:36

>> aapn

>> SPAM-MID RE: China: Gore draws Chinese to animal parks

>>

>>

>> Linda-or anyone, do you know where I can get a copy of the report?

>>

>> Thank you,

>>

>> Kirsten Conrad

>>

>>

>> Linda J. Howard [lindajhoward]

>> Monday, February 28, 2005 8:05 PM

>> aapn

>> China: Gore draws Chinese to animal parks

>>

>>

>> http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/213773_pac28.html

>>

>> Monday, February 28, 2005

>>

>> Pacific Currents: Gore draws Chinese to animal parks

>>

>> By JULIE CHAO

>> COX NEWS SERVICE

>>

>> HARBIN, China -- Cameras and videos are ready. Kids' noses are pressed

>> to

>> the windows. Chinese tourists packed into a minibus are on the lookout

>> for

>> Siberian tigers, one of the most endangered species in the world.

>>

>> While some of these visitors may be animal lovers, they have not paid $7

>> apiece merely to drive around and admire the huge felines lounging about

>> in

>> their snowy compounds.

>>

>> They are here to see some action. But first, they must pay.

>>

>> " You can buy a domesticated chicken for 40 yuan ($4.80) or for 100 yuan

>> ($12.10) you can buy a wild one, which flies, " the driver announces.

>> " The

>> effect is much different; it's exceptionally thrilling. "

>>

>> In their hourlong tour of this park, tourists will watch ravenous tigers

>> chasing down live chickens, sheep and cows. Feathers will be plucked and

>> limbs torn by the 300-pound cats while the tourists gasp, scream, cheer

>> and

>> recoil at the carnage.

>>

>> Wild animals for human entertainment have become big business in China.

>> In

>> just a decade, almost 30 " wild animal parks, " with tens of thousands of

>> tigers, lions, monkeys, deer and other animals, have opened.

>>

>> The first opened in the southern city of Shenzhen 12 years ago. When it

>> became a huge success, it spawned others. Many of the investors -- some

>> of

>> them local governments, some of them private companies -- knew and cared

>> little about animals.

>>

>> Like many new industries in China, this one grew quickly without

>> government

>> oversight. Several people have been mauled to death at parks. Because

>> China

>> has no laws on animal welfare or independent animal rights groups,

>> living

>> conditions and treatment of the animals vary widely.

>>

>> One park put a turtle in a glass box and allowed people to throw coins

>> at it

>> so they could try to hit its shell. At another, a tiger's head was

>> chained

>> down so that children could climb on its back for photos.

>>

>> A few parks even allow visitors to pay extra to watch a live horse get

>> devoured by lions and tigers.

>>

>> But in a sign of the nascent civil society and emerging activist spirit

>> here, a group of college students took it upon themselves to investigate

>> the

>> industry last year. They visited 21 wild animal parks and issued their

>> scathing report in December.

>>

>> " Their sole goal is profit, " said Athena Liu, a 23-year-old graduate

>> student

>> at Beijing Normal University and one of the authors. " The parks will do

>> anything to attract visitors. If the visitors want it, they'll do it.

>>

>> " Sometimes they starve the lions and tigers to make them perform

>> better, "

>> she said.

>>

>> The students also found evidence that animals were imported illegally

>> and

>> bred unscientifically. One park veterinarian told them the death rate is

>> quite high, and that of all his tasks, what he does the most is conduct

>> necropsies.

>>

>> Harbin's Siberian Tiger Park is one of the few wild animal parks that is

>> not

>> purely commercial. It also receives some government support for breeding

>> programs. There are believed to be only a dozen or so Siberian tigers in

>> the

>> wild in China, with 300 in Russia.

>>

>> Director Wang Ligang said the park has barely enough money to feed its

>> nearly 500 tigers. Much as he loathes the idea of the feeding

>> performances,

>> it's an economic necessity.

>>

>> After the driver announces the chicken prices, 100 yuan notes are passed

>> up

>> to the front of the bus.

>>

>> A white jeep drives up and a wild chicken is quickly tossed out. With an

>> easy swipe of a paw, a tiger quickly captures it, and then again with a

>> second chicken.

>>

>> The tourists start griping. They were promised a chase, and they call

>> for

>> another flying chicken. The driver talks into his radio. Another bird is

>> released.

>>

>> This time it stands on the roof of the jeep for several minutes while

>> the

>> tigers circle. Suspense builds. Cameras are readied. Suddenly the bird

>> takes

>> off, flying straight into the bus window. The tigers give chase.

>> Everyone

>> screams. Since the bird can't fly very high, a tiger catches it within

>> seconds.

>>

>> Chinese tourists say the park is good for tiger conservation.

>>

>> " The tigers have to eat. The only difference is whether you see it or

>> not, "

>> said Lu Yingwu, who was visiting from Shenzhen with his wife and

>> 7-year-old

>> son.

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>