Chengdu Zoo draws fire for 'torturing' bears

A zookeeper uses a high-pressure water gun to calm down two bears at Chengdu Zoo yesterday. A zoo official said it was part of a drill although some online posters accused the zoo of torturing the animals. (Photo: Shanghai Daily)

A zoo in Chengdu was accused of "torturing" two bears after it used a high-pressure water hose, burning torch and tranquilizer gun to subdue the animals during a drill on Thursday.

Zookeepers at the Chengdu Zoo first used a rope to place two dummies, which were made of straw and wearing T-shirts, into an enclosure with two bears. The two bears immediately rushed to one of the dummies and tore it apart with their claws and teeth, which zookeepers said was abnormal.

They said the bears looked restless and it might be due to the hot weather. As the drill continued, zoo staff tried to calm the bears down.

They threw some apple slices seasoned with honey but only one bear took the bait. The other still looked aggressive and tried to approach the dummy.

Zookeepers then used a high-pressure water gun and tossed a burning torch toward it to calm it down. They finally brought it under control by shooting it with tranquilizer darts.

The whole process lasted about 15 minutes.

"They are torturing animals," an angry online poster said after seeing photographs of the drill.

"How do the bears know it is a drill? They were fooled, and they were tortured for no reason?! another online poster said.

Yu Jianqiu, deputy director of the zoo, said the drill was designed to enhance zookeepers' ability to handle emergencies.