Animal Olympics + Animal Protection Laws in China

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Dear Officials in China and Chinese Embassys,

I respectfully ask you to make enforceable animal protection laws a priority before the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. China's global image continues to deteriorate as it allows horror shows such as the recent Animal Olympics at the Shanghai Wild Animal Park. This absurd spectacle reinforced the call for a boycott of Chinese tourism, goods, and the 2008 Olympic Games.

To turn China's "Golden Week" holiday (in early October) into a money maker, Shanghai's fourth annual Animal Olympics forced over 300 animals -- including cheetahs, lions, tigers, bears, macaques, poodles, a Golden Monkey, a chimpanzee, a zebra, a llama and an elephant -- to execute foolish tricks against a backdrop of loud pop music. Among the appalling images to emerge in international press, juvenile Moon Bears pummel each other in a staged boxing match. Other Moon Bears must stand and clap their hands for an entire day. A black bear poised unsteadily atop a small scooter has to peddle a human performer across a tightrope. Two more bears wobble dangerously on horses who parade before spectators.

Gloved kangaroos are punched in the head during staged fights with trainers dressed as clowns. A cycling monkey is bound to a child's bike by the collar and chimpanzees are coerced into lifting heavy weights. Poodles balance on their hind legs for hours. Sea lions lumber through a high-jump event. Zebras are goaded over hurdles as they race around a track and an elephant is coaxed into clutching a torch in his sensitive torch. Clearly, trainers must bully wild animals into performing unnatural stunts in close proximity to onlookers. To pose with people for photos that cost around $1.25-2.50 in U.S. currency, animals are chained and crudely declawed. Many, like one brown bear in a sailor suit, have their mouths wired shut. One blind, clawless Moon Bear is prodded with a metal stick each time he fidgets during daylong photo sessions.

If China hopes to mend its stunning record of animal abuse, the government must make visible strides to protect wild and companion animals. Bear bile farms, live animal markets, the dog/cat fur trade, and sweeping dog massacres as a form of rabies "control" tarnish your reputation. Exhibits such as an Animal Olympics further degrade Chinese culture -- even more so as the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games promotes a "Green Olympics" and "One World One Dream" slogan.

Yes, human and non-human animals DO share "One World" and the Olympics ought to celebrate life. Exhibitions of human mastery over terrified animals do not fulfil this vision. Ongoing negative media attention may ensure this is China's last Olympics. Please keep me informed of new legislation to safeguard wild and domestic animals from all forms of abuse. I am eager to know about any action to initiate momentous reforms for animals in China.

Yours sincerely,