Zoo worker's death sparks safety debate

By ZHOU WENTING in Shanghai | China Daily | Updated: 2020-10-26 07:31
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Visitors photograph a tiger at Shanghai Wild Animal Park from inside a vehicle. [Photo by CHEN YUYU/FOR CHINA DAILY]

An added that the family of the keeper who died is entitled to obtain compensation in accordance with the Labor Law and work injury insurance regulations.

"The premise of the public going to zoos is their trust in the latter that their safety is not at risk. Zoos should balance the fierce nature of their animals and people's safety. In an industry with a relatively high risk, zoo operators must show enhanced management levels," he said.

Since 2014, there have been 18 such safety incidents in China, resulting in three deaths and 11 injuries, according to the Saving Performing Animals Project.

On July 23, 2016, a tourist got out of her car in the tiger zone at Badaling Wildlife World in Beijing and was attacked and dragged away by a Siberian tiger.

The woman's mother rushed from the vehicle to help, but was attacked and killed by another tiger. Her daughter survived.

Experts said allowing visitors to enter such zones in their cars or in zoo buses poses a safety risk.

Some of the buses used by zoos and parks are no different to those plying long-distance routes, as they have basic glass windows. Others are equipped with wire mesh on the windows, but visitors can still reach out to feed the animals.

In September, Xin Shuangqi and his 4-year-old son boarded a mesh-windowed bus at Shanghai Wild Animal Park. Xin said the driver stopped in the bear zone for visitors to feed the animals from the windows.

"It was obvious the bears were used to requesting food from people in the buses. They circled our vehicle and some bears even chased after it when we left," said Xin, who comes from Shanghai.

"At the time, I was deeply worried, because if they had stood up, the bears would have been very close to us.

"I don't think I'll visit such a zone in this way again," he said.

Experts said that even feeding plant-eating animals in public zones may pose a safety risk to visitors. For example, zebras, which can easily become nervous and frightened, may suddenly kick out and hurt people.

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