After a fire broke out at Xiaohua Barber Shop, the local area brought in a black bear for display. The forestry department said it failed to report and stopped it in time – Hualong.com

After the Xiaohua Barber Shop in Huaihua, Hunan became popular all over the Internet, the popularity is still continuing. According to media reports, on November 11, Changnipo New Village, where the incident occurred, set up stalls to showcase local characteristics to welcome tourists. Huaihua Wild Animal and Botanical Garden also has monkeys, alpacas, black bears and other animals on display.

Black bears are national second-level protected wild animals, and public displays and performances must be approved by relevant departments. On the afternoon of November 12, the Huaihua Wildlife Zoological and Botanical Garden stated that the zoo has fixed booths on site and “animal displays are still on site, but there are no black bears today.” The cover news reporter learned from the Forestry Bureau of Hecheng District, Huaihua City that the Huaihua Wild Animal and Botanical Garden did not complete the relevant procedures and was promptly suspended that day.

forestry department

The wildlife park was invited to conduct an animal show

Failure to report has been promptly stopped

On November 11, the street in Changnipo New Village, where the “Connect Traffic” barber shop is located, was expanded, and more than 20 stalls were added to display local specialties. Huaihua Wild Animal and Botanical Garden also has monkeys, alpacas, black bears and other animals on display. The reporter saw in the online video that many spectators gathered at the scene to interact with the alpacas at “zero distance”. Monkeys and black bears are kept in iron cages, only a few meters away from the audience.

Animals are on display at the scene (picture according to Jiupai News)

According to the “Wild Animal Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China”, those who need to sell, purchase, or use nationally protected wild animals and their products due to scientific research, artificial breeding, public exhibitions and performances, cultural relics protection, or other special circumstances must go through the provincial or autonomous region. , approved by the wildlife protection department of the municipal people’s government.

On the afternoon of the 12th, the reporter called the Forestry Bureau of Hecheng District, Huaihua City. The person in charge said that the Huaihua Wild Animal and Botanical Garden was invited to the site for animal displays, but no registration was made. “Yesterday we heard about the black bear display, so we immediately sent people over and asked them to take the black bear away, leaving only some cute pets that can be displayed without formalities. We will also deal with the zoo’s illegal behavior in the future. Corresponding penalties will be imposed.”

Animal health expert

Improper local practices

There are many risks associated with close display to the public

The act of bringing animals in to “help out” has attracted more popularity, but it has also raised questions from netizens, “Is it really appropriate to pull animals out to perform?” and “Putting animals in cages to show off is not good.”

Zhang Minghai, a professor at the School of Wildlife and Nature Reserves at Northeast Forestry University, said that the local practice of bringing animals to the market for performances is inappropriate. “Although monkeys, black bears, and alpacas are kept in captivity, if they are to be displayed to the public, in order to ensure the welfare of wild animals and public safety, they must be approved by the competent authorities, and safety management measures should be taken to ensure the health of wild animals.”

Zhang Haiming said that there are many risks in close contact between humans and wild animals. “First of all, wild animals can carry a variety of viruses, as well as parasites and fleas. Especially when crowds gather, there is a risk of the spread of epidemics and diseases. Secondly, animals have been kept in captivity and are suddenly taken to unfamiliar places. The environment may cause panic and other stress reactions, especially black bears, which have sharp limbs. If the on-site safety measures are not in place, the claws exposed in the cage may scratch people if people approach. “

Cover news reporter Ye Haiyan