Page 28 - Animals Asia Review 2017

Captive Animal Welfare

Animal cruelty sparks fury in China
Our “Freedom” video highlighting the
abuse of wild animals in captivity was

Leaked footage of a young moon bear roughly treated at a seen by
150m
circus has disgusted China’s enormous online community,

showing just how far opposition to animal exploitation
has spread.
people in zoos, shopping malls, apartment
blocks and car parks in 80 Chinese cities.

The traumatised young moon bear at Qingdao Safari Park,
in Shandong, is shown being roughly forced out of the ‘The reaction was extremely
performance arena with a metal rod while a horriied
heartening. Despite the video not being
audience looks on.
particularly graphic, Chinese netizens
When the footage hit social media platform Weibo (China’s
were outraged, which shows how far
version of Twitter), the condemnation was unprecedented, with
users calling for a ban on animal performances and laws to advanced concepts of animal welfare
protect animals from abuse. Over 1 million people watched the ’
footage online.
have spread.

One said: “I don’t watch animal performances because I know Dave neale
the cruelty behind the ‘happy’ shows.”
Animal Welfare Director

People in China are increasingly opposed to performing Protestors gather at Beijing Stadium to voice their opposition
animal shows.
to animal performances.

how you’re providing better vet care

your support enables our vets to train fellow vets working
with wildlife in northern Vietnam.

Vets from Hanoi Wildlife Rescue Centre, Save Vietnam’s Wildlife,
The Turtle Conservation Centre, Bao Son Zoo, Hanoi Zoo and
Endangered Primate Rescue Centres attended our training

sessions in 2016, learning high-standard, practical techniques
to improve animal welfare.

Vietnam’s forestry People watched our videos

department is working with exposing cruelty, documenting
Animals Asia to develop our rescues, and sharing the
legally binding captive animal happiness of rehabilitated

welfare standards to be bears more than
7.9m
presented to the ministry.

times.

Chinese actor and singer/songwriter Xu Weizhou became our Our posters at Guangzhou Library showed over
10,000
China Ambassador in 2016. Xu, along with ive other huge
Chinese celebrities, Mo Wenwei, Zhang Tianai, Chen Qiaoen,
Huo Zun and Lv Songxian, promoted our work to their more Chinese people how whales and
dolphins should live in the wild not in captivity. The posters also
than 81 million followers online.
generated over 1,500 online articles.

28 Animals Asia Review 2016