A zoo in China that feeds live animals to its tigers - which are then killed and eaten in a twice-daily public spectacle - has been condemned by welfare campaigners.

Visitors to the zoo in Harbin, in eastern China, can buy chickens, sheep, cattle and ducks for feeding time.

Then on a special 'excursion' tourist buses circle the Siberian tiger enclosure, as they 'prey' is let loose.

Sky News China correspondent Peter Sharp witnessed the spectacle:

I would like to think that the Chinese tourists on the bus heading into the wildlife park at Harbin had no idea what was to come.

The families, some with young kids, were chatty and excited as we passed through the electric sliding gates and razor wire into a barren expanse of what looked like a brown-fill site.

But every one on the bus knew exactly what we were there for.

The 15 seater tourist buses had their windows and sides stripped away and replaced with iron cages. Within minutes, the Siberian tigers, standing tall on their back legs, were looking at us through the bars; eye to eye and waiting.

The driver produced a chicken from a basket. One of the visitors handed over the equivalent of £2.60 and within seconds the screeching bird was stuffed down a vending flap straight into the mouth of a waiting tiger."

[Click here for Sky News Online's full story]

The bus moved on to a spot above a makeshift waterhole where gamekeepers in a heavily caged four-wheeled drive released half a dozen white ducks (£6.50 each). They fluttered down to the waiting tigers who were knee deep in the water.

"It's behind you," the people on the bus shouted, as one canny duck, trying to escape the beast, surfaced behind the tiger.

Cheers rang out as the tiger finally caught up with the duck.

The excursion, which costs £3, is repeated twice a day. But what really attracts the crowds is the main course.

The spectators can buy a live sheep for £40; a pheasant costs £6.50, while cattle are £100 each.

The buses formed a circle around the tigers as a blue truck made its way through the gate.

The vehicle parked among the tigers, and the hydraulic ramp tipped out a fully grown domestic cow.

The animal landed on its feet and was immediately brought down. But it was a slow kill. The cow was still alive ten minutes after it was taken, as five tigers feasted on the animal.

Sky News phoned authorities at the wildlife park - the biggest Siberian tiger breeding establishment in the world - to find out why domestic animals are being made to suffer like this. The company refused to take our call.

Victor Watkins, wildlife advisor, with WSAP, said: "This is totally abhorrent. Zoos should never feed live animals to zoo animals.

"It is cruel, unnecessary and reminiscent of the Roman arena. We're not only concerned about the welfare of the animals themselves but also the effect on the spectators who regard such cruelty as entertainment."

Comments

[26 Jun 2007 20:06:43]

You know, in reading all of this talk about how we in the west shouldn't be so hypocritical when peering in on other cultures, I've noticed a staggering amount of people who seem to think that westerners are not already IN the process of cleaning their own closets. ALL zoos and circuses and bullfights need to be better monitored, humanely updated, or shut down. Just because we don't like the cruelty shown in these Harbin videos IN NO WAY means we are ignorant of similar shameful behaviour in our own country. To those of you who defend the traditions of the Chinese in this particular case, and the sadly obvious enjoyment it brings to the people, please be aware that activism against the treatment of animals in circuses and zoos all over Europe and North America has been ongoing for DECADES. To criticize the Chinese in this example is absolutely appropriate: it's their TURN to have their practises scrutinized if they really want to play with the rest of the world. Criticism is a healthy part of democracy, and though Chinese officials may wish we'd just keep our noses out of their business, they are GOING to have to deal with this. Most developed countries have BEEN THROUGH THIS ALREADY and are continuing to face scrutiny over inhumane practises not unlike those featured here (including the British fox hunts!). Success against these things is always hard won, if it's won at all, but claiming people of one culture should just ignore the shameful practises of another because they don't "understand" that culture, is frankly ridiculous.

Incidentally, I wonder how many of the tourists in the video clips have been to Shanghai's wonderful Fake Disneyland, complete with flagrant, unlicenced characters from not only Disney cartoons, but several trademarked Japanese shows as well.

And we're supposed to be worried about their burgeoning middle class when it's built on lies and fakes?

-JBT

[Zoe Hamilton, Aylesbury 19 Jun 2007 12:23:01]

I find that the chinese people are absolutely barbaric with no feelings. I know that it is probably the way that they were brought up but that is no excuse.
I will never visit their country as that would be supporting them. Its also a shame that so much stuff that we buy is made in China. I find how they treat animals very upsetting indeed.

[Tracey, Northampton 14 Jun 2007 16:35:50]

I think the point is being missed here somewhat. The tigers are being fed live cows to entertain tourists, not because they are hungry. I'm sure in the report it was said that the tigers were overweight and once they had killed the cow they didn't bother to eat it. Personally I think all zoos are barbaric and don't visit them and this report has justified and strengthened my feelings.

[Tom US 5 Jun 2007 15:39:21]

I see nothing at all wrong with this. Those that do I find hypocritical and silly. It's a cow. The tigers need to eat. So it is better to cut their throat 'backstage'? Eat your beef, your chickens, wear your leather...and call this barbaric. It's how tigers eat. It's how your domestic dog eats too...oh wait you all have someone else kill their meat for them and package it in cute bags and process it until it's unrecognizable as an animal. Silly pc world we live in nowadays.

[Nadia Wyatt, UK 4 Jun 2007 13:08:42]

I was so apauled to see this barbaric, horrific, disgusting and totally unnecessary treatment of these poor defenceless animals in the name of entertainment. Mothers, fathers and children all laughing at the sight of these defenceless animals being mauled to pieces slowly and painfully. Then I wonder to myself why is the world a sad depressing place with torture all around us? Can it ever change? It can't when the Chinese condone these sorts of behaviour. We - the West - cannot compare ourselves to these barbaric monsters of individuals when we say that some people in the west still support fox hunting for example. We don't do such things in our zoos or anywhere else for that matter. Moreover it is only a small percentage of us who still participate in fox hunting and other blood sports. I believe that all aninal cruelty is unnecessary and it is only through education and educating our children that this can change. Unfortunately for the Chinese this will not happen - well not in my lifetime at least because they are a race of barbaric, heartless individuals. Vote with your wallet and voice and please try not to purchase anything from China and please do not travel there until these sorts of animal tortures are stopped for good.

[Jo, Beijing 27 May 2007 05:48:24]

It has been interesting to read this blog - especially comments from Will and Nicholas Tsun (see below). I have lived in London half my life. I now live in Beijing. China and England have completely different cultures and mindsets. I do not condone cruelty in any form to either animals or humans, and there are shocking examples of both all over the world. However I don't feel that I'm in a position to pass judgement as to whose society is more cruel and barbaric or (God forbid) 'better'. We are all different. All of us can make positive changes in our own lives to make the world a better place.
-----------------------------
I agree that the images are horrific - however I also feel there should be a debate over zoos generally ! With respect to these tigers, they are predatory creatures who, in the wild, kill live prey. Is it not cruel to feed them processed, dead food - unlike that which they are conditioned to eat in their natural environment ? I feel the problem is more one of cultural taste ! We, in the UK, like our chickens to run around free - but when we buy them in the supermarket, they must not resemble chickens at all - our palates can tolerate pink flesh served in blue polystyrene trays but the outrage caused by seeing a chicken's head in shrinkwrap would be massive. We should tolerate other's cultures, and understand that although we have a value set which includes being kind to fluffy mammals - whereas the Chinese do not ! Its a bit hypocritical when some of us enjoy Lobster (Killed during Cooking) Oysters (Killed during opening) and Fois Gras (An appalling abuse of Geese !)

Should we Judge ?

Posted by: Will Suffolk 22 May 2007 17:21:51
------------------------------
Who can blame the Chinese for treating their animals so badly? You can hardly expect them to grant animals a level of humanity that millions of people do not even enjoy. There is not much harm in drawing attention to the plight of China's animals, but it is does Sky no credit to paint ordinary Chinese people as brutish. Imagine showing this report to a Chinese person who had just been told that cock fighting and fox hunting are among Britain's oldest and most traditional sports, and that the Spanish slaughter bulls for entertainment. He would probably think the reporter was a hypocritical bigot. I would have to agree with him. Sky's reporting is presented in such an unbalanced and xenophobic fashion that it is impossible for viewers not to be provoked into a racist apoplexy, as I presume they intended. Of course, an important facet of this -- completely ignored by the report -- is the vast gulf between the subsistence, rural lifestyle of most Chinese and the urban, pre-packaged sensitivities of the modern British person. Take a look from the other side of the fence and imagine, for example, how shocked a poor Chinese farmer would be to see the opulent, wasteful existence of most people in Britain. Feeding livestock to tigers seems mind-numbingly trivial in comparison to the relentless destruction of the planet that is being perpetrated by Britain and the world's other rich countries. Why not scream blue murder about the mistreatment of China's people, instead of its animals...? Who's really being inhumane here???

Posted by: Nicholas Tsun 22 May 2007 14:37:52

[Denise USA 26 May 2007 15:42:06]

write the sponsors of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, tell them you are boycotting the Olympics and will not support
or patronize a country or its sponsors that exports adulterated food proteins that killed thousands of American Cats and Dogs and later found to have contaiminated the human food supply and the barbaric ,medieval treatment of animals in China, dog/cat fur, live zoo feedings and the
rest of the animal abomination that takes place there.

[Yvonne Cox 26 May 2007 01:14:22]

I saw a little of the horrors of the live animals being fed to Tigers,it did make me cry and I keep thinking about it and feel helpless.People are right,how can we expect the Chinese to be kind to animals when their Human Rights is non existent,who can forget the DYING ROOMS,not me ever.I may be naive,but I always feel if humans can show kindness and compassion to animals it usually follows they can show the same to people,we just need a way to get this across.I am also hoping there are many Chinese people who must be just as horrified,I will be writing to the Chinese embassy but in a constructive not critical way. Yvonne Cox Kent

[JC Australia 26 May 2007 00:28:00]

After seeing this footage myself and my family have canceled our holiday to this revolting, barbaric country and I would really like to see the Australian Olympians do the same thing. As for any comments saying animals kill animals, the report stated that in the wild the tigers would be hungry and therefore kill quickly and certainly not take 10 minutes plus to do it. The enjoyment displayed by those watching was absolutely disgusting and the level of racism in the world no longer shocks me with examples of such uncivilized behavior. I would like this footage to be seen everywhere all the time as I do not think enough people are aware that this cruel entertainment really happens.There are many terrible things happening in the world but this is preventable, my question is where do they get the cows??? China should be treated as they treat animals with no respect, boycott China completely and tell everyone to do the same. A week after seeing this necessary report I am still outraged, if there is anything at all to be done lets do it.

[John Carmody 24 May 2007 19:44:43]

Again this suffering truly shows how animals in today's 'modern' society are being horrible treated. From China to here in Europe animals fair out no better in laboratories, slaughterhouses for meat consumption or even in the circus. Kind and compassionate people everywhere dont want to be part of this cruelty and everyone can make a difference in their own back yards for animals just like those suffering in China.

[SANDY PLATT,CHESTER 24 May 2007 19:17:30]

This is barbaric and unnecessary and I am not prepared to forget.The beast who was tipped from the wagon did not even have a quick death.The tigers did not have to chase or bring down the animal.It was just delivered,and the tigers are obviously not hungry .I am going to launch a petition and write to the Chinese Ambassador.I have already started to examine any goods before I buy them in the shops,and if they are Made in China I will refuse to buy them,no matter how much I need them.I feel helpless in my fight,but I am determined.Please look out for my petition.I hope I can launch it onto the www soon.

[Carrie (USA, but living in China) 24 May 2007 12:49:38]

As a westerner living in China, I have seen many examples of blatant disregard for human and animal life. For those of you asking what can be done to end the animal suffering, please write to your national government officials urging them to address the issue with China and also write to the Chinese ambassador in your country and tell them that you and others like you will not support the 2008 Olympics unless the inhumane activities cease.

[Dr John Wedderburn 24 May 2007 11:54:34]

I have been asked what people can do. There are 3 things that anyone can do:

1. Write a polite well-worded letter to the Chinese Ambassador of your
country requesting that his country enacts an Animal Cruelty Law. Do not use
bad language or racial slurs or threaten boycotts. He is duty-bound to pass
on to the relevant authorities opinions expressed to him. With such a law,
local Chinese animal protection organisations will have the tools to fight
these atrocities.
2. Make sure that your country's own house is in order - are any animals in
your country being exploited and subject to severe stress? It is much more
effective if one can talk from a moral highground.
3. Write to your own Government to ensure that the next CITES meeting will
not allow trade in tiger body parts. That is really what these tigers are
all about. They are being bred with the hope that big money can be made
from them when the ban on trade is lifted. Support the organisations that
are fighting to keep the ban.
eg: http://www.animalsasia.org/
John,
Chair, AAPN, http://www.aapn.org

[Daniel Chima Zagreb,CROATIA 24 May 2007 09:53:41]

This is disgraceful and this needs to stop.If we can hel someway please write here how.I still cannot belive it :-((((

[Pam, England 24 May 2007 09:38:38]

Everyone should send e-mails to the Chinese Embassy to let it be known what we think of this truly horrific display.
secretary@chinese-embassy.org.uk

[Vinny,NY 24 May 2007 05:47:24]

If a society can deny brutal purges which has resulted in murder of few dozen millions of their grand-parents; how much problem you think it may have about feeding live animals to pet 'Tigers'. Hold you breath; if CCP permits; soon they can be feeding counter-revolutionaries, cult members & terrorists (read Tibetans & Ugyurs); if rest of world keep bending as it does today.

[Sam Thorne - NSW Australia 24 May 2007 03:34:28]

The chinese are a cruel barbaric race. They do not care about animal suffering. The chinese need to be exposed for all the atrocities that they inflict onto innocent animals. Look at the bear bile farms !!!

[claire from glasgow 23 May 2007 21:04:28]

what I have witnessed today is inhumane and barbaric. The chinese as a nation are disgusting and have no morals or respect for animals. They really make me sick. The only way to deal with this is to boycott china. Everyone should boycott china.

[linda ...northumberland uk 23 May 2007 19:46:12]

Horrific...barbaric...inhuman the list is endless and so is the cruelty China continuously displays to animals...we must make a stand you cannot be horrified for a day then eat your chips out the newpaper which brough you the barbaric news..
Great Britain pull out of the Chinese Olympic Games..have some backbone and make a stand for gods sake.

[sarah 23 May 2007 17:31:14]

is there anything we can do to stop this disgusting entertainment,as they call it.it made me cry to see it going on.

[Sharon, Sydney, Australia 23 May 2007 14:47:46]

I have chosen not to watch the footage either. After so much media on this issue, there needs to be a link or website to the millions of people who have been effected by this cruelty to make a donation or support in any way. Use this footage as a means to try and eliminate this problem. I also will never make a trip to China or watch the Olympics and if the majority of us do this - this will send a message (its little things like this which will make a difference). I feel bad for the decent Chinese people who actually are against this kind of behaviour to animals. They all are becoming branded as a barbaric nation of people.

[Rob, UK 23 May 2007 10:52:44]

After seeing the news item I felt disgusted and sickened by such cruelty in the name of entertainment. It is beyond me how people including children can gain pleasure from the suffering of these defenceless animals, theyve crossed the line and something should be done. www.meat.org is another example of cruelty but the tigers are replaced by people in slaughter houses.

[Stephen in Cheshire 23 May 2007 08:23:58]

would these so called people paying to watch and buying the live food still want to watch and pay if they were suddenly the food ? the whole thing is backwards for a country which is supposedly coming forwards, I visit China a lot with my work and I will sure let the people I know there know my feeling on such a backwards show.

[Andy Derry 23 May 2007 08:22:54]

I am not saying its right but if I was a tiger in captivity I would want to be killing the duck instead of stuck in the zoo in a small cell hang on a sec we do that too in our zoo's cept we give em a little grass and tree to hide behind lets look at ourselves first we are not perfect and should not be casting the first stone lead by example not condemation

[Tracey South Africa 23 May 2007 07:42:08]

This is a horrific and cruel entertainment show. When are the chinese going to be held accountable for their actions towards animals. There was an article published on the outrage of what this park was doing in 2003. This is not new!!