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SARS Affects Chinese Zoos and Wildlife
27 May 2003
by Anai Rhoads
Veriana Media
Due to the SARS crisis in China, Beijing has had to contend with slow income at
their zoos. The lack of visitors has caused a significant inability to bring in
nourishment for the animals.
Since SARS has been linked to animals such bats, civet cats, racoon dogs and
snakes, people are fearful of visiting the zoo.Some even question the health of
their own pets at home.
The zoo keepers at the Xiamen Haicang Animal Park have witnessed several
incidences of aggression as a result of the animals' new-found hunger. Two
tigers were injured and one lion killed according to the park's manager, Liu Huichun.
Normal feed for a wild feline is an average of eleven pounds of animal meat, two live hens,
two pounds of poultry bones, powdered milk formula and eggs. The felines are left
with only a little over six pounds of red meat, which now excludes the remainder feed.
Funding is slow incoming as the concern for the welfare
of the animals increase. This has put a dent in their budget and now the animals
are suffering. Even with zoo officials and employees donating their own money,
there is still not enough.
China's newspaper, China Daily, reported Tuesday that the zoo has spent close
to $50,000 to prevent SARS and to sterilise the cages.
Copyright ©200 Anai Rhoads
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