China www.animalsasia.org
o Chinese food is wonderful, with an incredible array of dishes to tempt the palate, however when visiting Asia, never consume dishes containing endangered species such as Shark's Fin soup, Bird's Nest soup or dishes containing dog or cat meat.
o Please don't buy ivory and exotic trinkets or wear fur or shahtoosh. These magnificent animals have been poached from the wild and needlessly slaughtered for the sake of fashion.
o Please don't visit zoo's, wild animal parks, snake farms, aquariums or circuses. Under the guise of educational entertainment, the harsh reality is that many of these animals are traumatised by captivity and frequently abused during the training and handling procedures.
o If you use Oriental medicine politely request that no animal parts are used and encourage your practitioner to replace all animal parts with herbs.
o Throughout Asia animals are kept chained or caged to attract tourists at hotels and other public places. Politely voice your concern to the management, making them aware of your objections and say that you will not support or re-visit their facility if they continue to keep animals in this manner.
Many thanks to Annie Mather, Executive Director, Head of Media
Animals Asia Foundation
Hong Kong
April 2008
I again volunteered for this fabulous organisation at Crufts this year. We continued to ask the public to help us stop the torturing of dogs and cats in China for food. The day began with my being unable to hold back tears as i witnessed the video showing the markets in China with poor dogs and cats crushed in cages, wimpering pitifully as they awaited their fate of a painful and torturous death.
Every year i fight back tears for about an hour and then i find the strenght to focus on the job in hand; working on trying to stop this. I have enourmous admiration for those that do this tirelessly every day. I only help one day a year but the emotional distress it causes me is immense, i cannot imagine how those working for Animal Asia cope but thankfully they do. Without them there would be no hope.
Sadly there are still thousands of animals tortured and eaten every day in China and many of the public approached our stand asking "But is it making a difference?" The good news is that there are now Chinese people themselves who are setting up pressure groups to stop this within China itself. This really is progress.
Many millions of animals will still suffer but we must not give up until this torture is stopped. If you can help Animals Asia foundation in any way, please do. They are doing some fantastic work and will keep on working tirelessly with the help of people like me and you until there is hope of a happier outcome for animals in China.
Find out more about the "China Bear Rescue" and learn more about animal issues in Asia by visiting: www.animalsasia.org
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THERE IS A HUGE LACK OF EDUCATION IN ASIA IN RELATION TO CONSERVATION AND WELFARE OF THE SPECIES TO WHICH TOURISTS ARE EITHER INTRODUCED OR SEEK OUT. IN CHINA FOR EXAMPLE, TOURISTS FROM HONG KONG WILL TAKE TRIPS TO SOUTHERN CITIES FOR "DOG DINNERS" - NOT REALISING THE INHERENT, BARBARIC CRUELTY UNDER WHICH THESE ANIMALS ARE KEPT AND TORTURES.
ZOOS IN THIS REGION ARE NEARLY ALWAYS ASTONISHING CRUEL. ASIDE FROM THE CONSERVATION ASPECTS WHERE FREE ROAMING WILD ANIMALS ARE OFTEN CAPTURED AND BROUGHT INTO CAPTIVE SITUATIONS, THE SMALL ARENA'S AND ENCLOSURES ARE INAPPROPRIATELY HOUSING SPECIES WHICH WOULD RANGE THOUSANDS OF MILES IN THEIR NATURAL HABIT. THE TOURIST DOLLAR CONTRIBUTES TO THESE PROBLEMS IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD - AND EQUALLY IS SUCH A POWERFUL TOOL IN HELPING TO END THESE BARBARIC "SHOWCASES"!
MANY TOURISTS SIMPLY DON'T STOP TO THINK ABOUT THE CRUEL REALITY OF THE ANIMAL ATTRACTIONS THEY VISIT: THE EXCITEMENT AND NOVELTY OF HOLDING A BABY TIGER OR POSING WITH AN ORANGUTAN, OVERRIDES ANY RESERVATIONS THEY MAY HAVE AND THEIR CONSCIENCE IS FURTHER PLACATED BY MANY FACILITIES' CLAIMS TO PROVIDE "EDUCATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT" OR SERIOUS CONSERVATION PROGRAMMES. THE EXOTICISM OF ASIA ALSO LENDS ITSELF TO FOREIGN TOURISTS' EXPECTATIONS OF SEEING WILDLIFE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE ANIMAL IS IN ITS NATURAL HABITAT OR NOT. OUTSIDE OF THEIR OWN COUNTRIES AND CAUGHT UP IN A HOLIDAY SPIRIT, MOST TOURISTS DON'T STOP TO THINK ABOUT THE ETHICS OF KEEPING A BABY ELEPHANT IN A HOTEL GARDEN, OR A MONKEY AVAILABLE FOR PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES BY RECEPTION.
ACROSS ASIA IN ALMOST EVERY MARKET YOU SEE, PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGED TO BUY EXOTIC TRINKETS MADE FROM TURTLE SHELL, IVORY, SHARK FIN, SEAHORSES ETC ETC WHOLE SPECIES OF TURTLES ARE BEING WIPED OUT BY THE DEMAND FOR THEIR MEAT AS A "TONIC" FOOD, MANY OF THEM SEVERELY THREATENED OR ENDANGERED. THE SRI RACHA TIGER AND CROCODILE PARK HAVE LONG VIOLATED LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS BY EXPLOITING THE ENDANGERED SPECIES THEY BREED ON SITE.
THE SRI RACHA TIGER ZOO IS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF A COMMERCIAL TOURIST FACILITY OPERATING UNDER THE GUISE OF "EDUCATION" : TOURISTS CAN WATCH TIGERS JUMPING THROUGH FLAMING HOOPS AND ELEPHANTS WALKING ON TIGHTROPES, OR HAVE THEIR PHOTO TAKEN WITH DEER CHAINED TO THE GROUND, POSE WITH DE-FANGED SNAKES AND WATCH AN ENTIRE SHOW WHICH CONSISTS PURELY OF TWO HANDLERS TORMENTING CRODCODILES WITH STICKS. FACILTIES SUCH AS THIS ONLY SERVE TO TEACH PEOPLE THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO USE, ABUSE AND EXPLOIT ANIMALS FOR OUR OWN SELFISH PURPOSES.
THE TRADE IN ANIMAL PARTS IN ASIA IS IMMENSE - WITH MANY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TURNING A BLIND EYE - AND ALLOWING TRADERS TO EXPLOIT THE SPECIES AND THE CRUELTY IN ABUNDANCE. TOURISTS FROM TAIWAN, JAPAN AND KOREA FOR EXAMPLE CAN GO TO WILD ANIMAL FACILITIES -SUCH AS THE BEAR AND TIGER PARK IN GUILIN, CHINA AND BUY BEAR BILE - AND ARE EXPRESSLY TOLD THAT IT IS LEGAL TO TAKE IT OUT OF THE COUNTRY, WHEN THIS IS BLATANTLY WRONG AND CONTRAVENES REGULATIONS UNDER THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FLORA AND FAUNA - CITES.
ANIMAL SHOWS, CIRCUSES AND ZOOS IN ASIA ARE HISTORICALLY POOR AND USE THE ANIMALS NOT FOR CONSERVATION, BUT FOR ENTERTAINMENT. TOURISTS SHOULD BE UTTERLY AWARE THAT THEIR DOLLARS ARE BUYING INTO THIS CRUELTY AND SHOULD VOTE WITH THEIR FEET AGAINST SUCH ABHORRENT PRACTICES. WITH CIRQUE DU SOLEIL PUTTING ON MARVELOUS PERFORMANCES TO PACKED AUDIENCES EVERY NIGHT AND USING NOT ONE ANIMAL IN THE SHOW, THEY ARE AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE THAT TOURISTS CAN BE EXCEPTIONALLY ENTERTAINED WITHOUT EXPLOITING WILD, DOMESTIC OR ENDANGERED SPECIES. THE TRAINING OF ANIMALS IN THESE FACILITIES IS ALMOST ALWAYS USING "NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT" - SIMPLY AND TRAGICALLY BEATING, WHIPPING, PUNCHING AND BULLYING THE ANIMALS INTO SUBMISSION UNTIL THEY PERFORM A TRICK "RIGHT". IN ADDITION, MOST BIG CATS AND BEARS WILL BE DELIBERATELY DE-CLAWED AND DE-TOOTHED AND SUFFER AGONISINGLY AS A RESULT. THE ONLY TIME THESE ANIMALS RECEIVE EXERCISE IN A CIRCUS IS IN THE RING DURING TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE - MINUTES OF EACH DAY - WHERE THE REST OF THEIR LIVES ARE SPENT IN BORED AND STEREOTYPIC PACING IN TINY INADEQUATE AND OFTEN DIRTY CAGES. I COULD WRITE A WHOLE PAPER ON THE USE OF WILD ANIMALS IN CIRCUSES ALONE - AND CAN CERTAINLY PASS ON PAGES AND PAGES OF INFORMATION IF YOU NEED MORE.
MANY ZOOS ARE NO BETTER - INVOLVING DODGY DEALINGS, AND EXPLOITATION OF THE ANIMALS THEY HOUSE. PANDAS IN CHINA EXPLOITED FOR PHOTOTAKING WITH TOURISTS, AS A SIDE MONEY VENTURE FOR THE KEEPERS, WITH NO THOUGHT TO THE PANDA'S WELFARE, THE TOURIST'S SAFETY OR THE VERY REAL RISK OF INFECTION TO THE ANIMAL WHEN PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO TRUDGE DIRT, BACTERIA AND VIRUSES FROM THE STREETS INTO THEIR ENCLOSURES. ZOOS IN ASIA ARE GENERALLY A DISGRACE FEATURING BARREN CONCRETE CAGES AND BORED, CAGE CRAZY ANIMALS. THERE IS SO MUCH THAT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED USING MINIMAL TIME AND FUNDING, BUT STILL THE ZOOS REFUSE TO GO THAT EXTRA MILE AND IGNORE HOW MUCH EVEN A SMALL DIFFERENCE IN ENRICHMENT AND STIMULATION WOULD MAKE TO THE ANIMALS THEY HOUSE - AND ULTIMATELY TO THE ENTERTAINMENT VALUE FOR THE TOURISTS WHO GO THERE TO VIEW.
HOW CAN TOURISTS ENSURE THAT THEY MAKE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO ANIMAL WELFARE IN THE COUNTRIES THAT THEY VISIT?
SEARCH OUT LOCAL ANIMAL WELFARE GROUPS AND SHELTERS, RESCUE CENTRES AND CONTRIBUTE FUNDING TO THE GROUPS AND THE ANIMALS UPKEEP. REFUSE TO BUY ANIMAL PART TRINKETS OR MEDICINES, REFUSE TO VISIT ZOOS OR CIRCUSES AND MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS WHEN YOU GO OUT TO EAT IN RESTAURANTS. ASK TO SEE BACK OF HOUSE IN CAFES ETC AND IF THEY HAVE LIVE ANIMALS ON SITE THEN VOTE WITH YOUR FEET AND WALK OUT.
COMPLAIN! TOURISTS HAVE MORE POWER THAN THEY REALISE. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT IS UNNACCEPTABLE COMPLAIN TO THE MANAGMENT, TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS AND MAKE NOTES TO PASS ON TO ANIMAL WELFARE GROUPS. WRITE TO YOUR HOTEL OR TRAVEL AGENT POLITELY EXPRESSING YOUR CONCERNS AND STATING YOU WILL NOT USE THEIR SERVICES AGAIN UNLESS CHANGES ARE MADE. WRITE TO THE TOURIST BOARD AND EMBASSIES OUTLINING YOUR EXPERIENCE AND THE NEGATIVE IMPACT ANIMAL EXPLOITATION HAS ON THEIR INTERNATIONAL IMAGE.
Whilst some countries in Asia such as Hong Kong, the Philippines and Taiwan have banned the practice of dog eating, evidence shows that in China, the biggest dog eating country in the world, it continues to thrive.
It is estimated that up to 10 million dogs are slaughtered every year in China, many deliberately slowly and cruelly in the belief that "torture equals taste", whilst all suffer the stress and pain of being farmed in concentrated numbers before being killed in a variety of ways which rarely ensures a quick and humane death.
Animals Asia field investigators have witnessed trucks loaded with anything up to 2,000 dogs per truck arriving at the wholesale Hua Nam Wild Animal Market in Guangzhou. These poor animals have spent 3 days and 3 nights, squashed together in tiny cages, unable to move, without food, water or shelter. The dogs are then brutally lifted by the neck and hurled into a pen by a man wielding a metal tongs. Here they fight through fear, hunger and desperation to survive whilst awaiting a horrendously slow death in order to provide meat for restaurants in Guangzhou.
Diseases such as parvo virus, canine distemper and leptospirosis are rife and spread like wildfire in dogs whose immune systems are already low due to depression and starvation. We often witness a large number of dead and diseased dogs and cats which have been pulled out of the cages and slung by the side.
The dog meat trade is becoming increasingly industrialized and is even promoted by the government in some provinces. Huge dog farms have been developed and the importation of giant gentle breeds, like the St. Bernard, which is cross bred with the local Chinese mongrel to produce a fast growing, docile “meat dog” that can be slaughtered at 4 months. Livestock sections of large bookshops stock books and VCDs on dog farming which promote horrific slaughter methods, in the misguided belief that the more the dog suffers the better the meat will taste. Consequently, vacuum packed and canned dog meat are becoming increasingly available in some supermarkets.
Investigations also reveal that the fur from slaughtered dogs is now entering local and international markets and being used as "trim" for fashion items, or for trinkets such as keyrings and hair accessories.
Animals Asia has examined arguments ranging from those referring to culture, to those which state that, as long as the animal does not suffer, then eating dog meat is no different to eating the meat of other domestically raised animals such as pork, chicken and beef. However, we believe that to advocate humane slaughter for dogs would legitimize the practice and undermine the tireless and effective work of those Asian countries that have recently outlawed the practice. Time and time again, dogs across the world have proved their unique qualities and how valuable they can be in partnership with people. We believe that they should not be part of the food chain.
The scale of the cruelty is immense, but our recent survey on China’s largest internet portal - Sina.com - had over 5,000 responses and showed that many Chinese people are passionately against the idea of eating our “best friends”.
Education is the key to ending their misery and Animals Asia needs your help as we tackle the problem with positive programmes like Doctor Dog and brand new initiatives like the China distribution of 88,000 VCDs of our innovative inhouse film "Dr. Eddie: Friend or Food?" - inspiring and compelling a reconsideration of attitudes at a grass roots level.
