Shanghaiist: Is nothing sacred?!?! Shanghai Animal Olympics canceled

WLW

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 23:26:29 +0800

OF COURSE, the performance does not contain mistreatment of the animal. No one would watch it otherwise. Abuse occurs in the training and preparation, and when animals are distressed, traumatized, and/or malnourished, it is apparent to the trained eye. I will agree with your point about other animal-protection issues, but this is as much social statement as an animal rights issue. Everyone knows that the animal rights situation in China is dismal, and there should be some starting point to reverse that. Further, I would posit, that the way that children learn to respect animals as they are in a social context, much reflects the way they will respect others as adults. And this "Animal Olympics" is a poor example.

Sam

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 21:56:42 +0800

WLW, elephant v. humans tug of wars don't sound like torture to me. And do animals feel humiliated, even if most aren't capable of concieving a self? To me, it sounds like these organizations need to re-prioritize. There are genuine endangered species & tortured animals out there.

excellent post

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 18:44:29 +0800

the Internet is itself ironic. :O) this was a splendid post. cheers.

usagi

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 04:24:05 +0800

maybe that's why the zoo needed the funding

WLW

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 01:43:08 +0800

Do whips, electric shocks, beatings, undernourishment, being forced to do things that are totally unnatural to you and being kept in a small cage sound like "your thing," Sam? (Save the S&M joke, thanks) The truth is that animals are much like ourselves, and capable of complex emotions and social behavior. Research supports this. Immediately, it is cruel to the animals, and more broadly, it sends the wrong message to the children who see it.

Sam

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 01:00:46 +0800

Are animals capable of feeling degraded? Should things which insult our intelligence be banned? Doesn't sound like my thing, but doesn't sound so much different from what they have at Sea World's dolphin show, either. The elephant v. lots of people tug of war sounds kind of fun, actually. Chinese zoos are wildly under-funded, I wonder if this is one of the only ways for Chinese animal parks to make revenue?

nanheyangrouchuan

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:05:37 +0800

Don't those foreign barbarians understand? Even nature must serve the Yellow Emporer and entertain the Chinese people because they are the center of the universe!

Jay

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 22:04:31 +0800

I'm very pleased that they shut down the Animal Olympics. It was disgusting.

Bob Chippens

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 19:36:08 +0800

Good article and good news!! :D

bx

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 19:05:58 +0800

Haha, i love the sarcasm disclaimer. It's sad but true, sarcasm is often missed on the internet for some bizarre reason. But seriously, on this topic, I don't support it but where does it stop and why here? Every year, dozens of well-publicized cases of horses been put done after a race or training mishap. Couple this with the bizarre acts in many circuses around the world, why does this generate so much attention? Is it because its called an Olympics? Is it because of of the work of these activists promoting this event? Is it because its a Chinese thing, and China is regarded/has a bad record on these things? etc ...