Mar. 18 – A zoo in China’s northeast province of Liaoning has recently been shut down after it became apparent that the facility was being used to make virility tonics out of Siberian tiger parts.
A total of 26 animals among 15 species died at the Shenyang Forest Wildlife Zoo in January, including four Siberian tigers. The four are among 11 Siberian tigers that have died at the zoo over the last three months due to starvation. Xinhua reports that the tigers were fed primarily on cheap chicken bones in order to stave off increasing costs.
Tiger parts have long been a valuable commodity in Asia due to their use in virility wines and tonics. Chinese traditional medicine, in particular, uses tiger penises and bones to increase sexual potency and treat illnesses.
The Beijing News reports that large vats of tiger-bone liquor have been produced at the zoo in Shenyang since 2005 and were given to high-level provincial officials. The source also claims that between 40 to 50 tigers have died at the zoo since 2000 and that the tonics made from the bones were an “open secret.”
The case underscores the deplorable conditions of zoos across China, where animals are kept in depressing, unsupervised environments and are often malnourished. Animals at these zoos are locked out of their indoor enclosures during the day so as to be made visible to patrons who at times throw objects into their cages and poke the animals with sticks. Some zoos, like the Xiongsen Bear & Tiger Mountain Village near Guilin feature demeaning performances where tigers and bears ride horses and walk on their hind legs. The zoo also features apples attached to fishing poles which visitors can use to tease the animals.
There are currently no laws in place in China to protect animals held in zoos from abuse. The Animals Asia Foundation has more reports on the issues facing animals in the region and can show you how to get involved.
China is estimated to have around 20 Siberian tigers left in the wild.
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