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Guangzhou (China) — More than half a million people have signed an online petition calling for the closure of a theme park in the Chinese city of Guangzhou, where a polar bear is on show. The Arctic animal, who goes by the name of Pizza, is the main attraction for people visiting the Grandview shopping centre. But animal-rights groups say conditions in the theme park are incredibly poor and have called for the polar bear to be moved.
“This obviously affects him psychologically and behaviourally, which then affects his level of happiness,” Karina O’Carroll, of Animals Asia, said.
The manager of the theme park has dismissed allegations that the polar bear was being mistreated, and accused the animal-rights groups as also the international media of conducting a witch-hunt against him and his colleagues.
Nevertheless, many of the spectators are also expressing their concern for the bear. “This place is very small,” one woman said. “The bear is playing by himself. He’s lonely, and he needs interactions.” — Al Jazeera
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo