A zoo in Fuqing, Fujian Province, claiming to be dedicated to “protecting animals and the environment,” faced criticism from many parents during the National Day holiday for its live chicken “feeding” performance to wild animals, which was deemed “too cruel” by many. Despite this backlash, the staff justified their actions by stating that it was just for entertainment.
According to a report from Pengpai News on October 6, the Yonghong Wildlife World in Fuqing offered “live chicken feeding” services in the areas dedicated to Northeast tigers, lions, and wolves, with the cost of one live chicken priced at 60 Chinese yuan.
During the live chicken feeding process, the on-site staff would grab a live chicken from a cage, tie it to a long rope, hoist it above the lion’s head, and then use the rope to bring the chicken closer to the lion repeatedly, enticing the lion to pounce and feed on it. As the lion tore into the live chicken during the feeding, it struggled continuously until it eventually became too weak to resist. Only then would the staff lower the live chicken, allowing the lion to leap up and snatch it away to eat, leaving behind a pile of feathers and blood on the ground.
Due to the presence of a large number of minors at the scene, including young children, some parents chose to leave halfway through with their children upon witnessing the disturbing spectacle. Many visitors on the spot expressed their disapproval, calling the act “too cruel” and “too terrifying,” while the staff dismissed the criticisms by stating, “What’s cruel about it? People come here for fun.”
According to the staff, the Northeast tiger area receives feedings of more than a dozen live chickens daily, while the lion area receives seven to eight live chickens daily. The zoo’s own supply of chickens was said to be insufficient, necessitating external purchases. Additionally, apart from the aforementioned feeding method, live chickens could also be thrown directly into the predator areas or hung on trees to attract the predators to climb and hunt.
The exposure of this incident sparked widespread public condemnation. Many netizens criticized the act, stating that “suffering should not be used as entertainment, especially for children,” and labeling the practice as “bloody slaughter” rather than educational.
In response to the public outcry, the Fuqing City Natural Resources and Planning Bureau announced that the zoo in question has removed the live feeding project entirely.