Shanghai is working to provide better protection for wild
animals, city government spokeswoman Jiao Yang told Shanghai
Daily yesterday, noting that municipal officials ordered a
halt to the "Animal Olympics" at the Shanghai Wild Animal Park
early this month.
Following complaints about kangaroo boxing, bear bicycle racing
and other events involving animal contestants, the city immediately
sent officials to the Nanhui District park and ordered it to
promptly "rectify the problems," Jiao said.
The games, held every two years, began in late September and
were originally scheduled to run until the end of this month. They
drew widespread complaints this year from city residents and animal
lovers around the world.
Following a city inspection early this month, the Shanghai Wild
Animal Park adopted "prompt measures for rectification," Jiao
said.
The park shut down the games about three weeks ago, and it also
halted its practice of allowing people to pose for photos with
small animals.
Jiao said Shanghai has always paid close attention to the
protection of wild animals.
Following national and city regulations, local authorities
adopted a series of animal protective measures over recent years.
The efforts included improvements in the monitoring and restoration
of habitats for wild animals.
Jiao said the city has also carried out campaigns against wild
animal breeding. Facilities that failed to meet regulations have
been ordered to stop operation.
In addition, the city has boosted cooperation with
non-governmental organizations to promote public awareness about
the need to protect wild animals, she said.
(Shanghai Daily November 28, 2006)
