China’s private zoos accused of poaching and “laundering” wild animals

Local group, China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) released a short documentary on Tuesday of its investigation into three private Chinese zoos.

The shocking footage includes:

* Emaciated tigers in battery style cages
* A deformed python
* Potentially blind bears
* Primates with serious skin conditions

In addition to harrowing footage of neglect at all three facilities, staff at one zoo were caught on camera boasting they illegally poach endangered wildlife and sell them on to bigger zoos and safari parks around the country.

The documentary alleges that such small, loosely regulated zoos are able to “launder” wild, protected species and sell them on to more established facilities as captive-bred animals.

CBCGDF claim that of the roughly 400 zoos in China, “most” are loosely regulated private zoos. Many lack transparency regarding the number of animals they hold, their origin and the welfare conditions at the facilities.

Read the full story here: https://www.animalsasia.org/in....tl/media/news/news-a