Shanghai to shut down animal island

Shanghai residents have made special visits to Shanghai Peace Park in recent days to bid adieu to the more than 30 kinds of animals living on the park's animal island, which the park plans to close for reconstruction on Dec 30.

The park, which was built in 1958, has become part of many locals' childhood memories as it was the only park in downtown Shanghai that raised animals including lions, tigers, monkeys and sika deer.

That will be no longer be the case after the 18-hectare park's reconstruction is completed by April 2022, as all the animals will be relocated and the park's facilities and environment improved, park management said on Wednesday.

"The lack of landscape features, outdated facilities, and the urgent need to improve the water quality and environment are the reasons for us to reconstruct the park," said Huang Ling, head engineer of the Hongkou District Landscaping Management Center.

"As for the relocation of the animals, we consider it imperative as the current feeding model for the animals living in the park has brought concerns of environmental protection, epidemic prevention and animal welfare."

For example, she said, the feces of some animals such as sika deer have been one of the major pollutants of the water in the park.

"The design of the animal island is also not very visitor friendly," she added.

According to the reconstruction plan, the animal island will be transformed into an ecological island featuring the traditional style of horticultural design in the region.

"The park will feature some animal sculptures reminiscent of people's childhood memories," Huang said.

The site where the animals will be relocated is still being discussed, she said.