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THIS is North Korea’s Central Zoo – where endangered species have been forced into cage fights and stuffed into small cages to be gawked at.
Kim Jong-Un‘s beloved Pyongyang zoo has been the centre of controversy in the past after images and videos surfaced of extreme animal cruelty.
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Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
AP:Associated Press
Rodong Sinmun
The bizarre entrance to the sad zooAlamyA harrowing video from the 1990s has resurfaced from inside the cruel zoo where animals including tigers, bears, wild dogs and owls are forced in the same enclosure to fight to the death.
One clip shows a tiger throwing its paws up against a black bear in an enclosed space while the massive furry beast bears its gnashers.
Another is a sad sight of two wild dogs charging at each other before chasing and biting each other in an attempt to kill.
One sadistic video shows a snake wrapping its body around an innocent owl which gets completely crushed by the serpent.
Expert Matt Collis from International Fund for Animal Welfare told The Sun of the extreme toll these kinds of “gladiator-style battles” will have on animals.
He said: “Pitting animals against each other where they have no chance of escape for entertainment is cruel and unnecessary.
“Situations such as these risk their physical and psychological wellbeing, and the consequences could be fatal.”
The sick video, accurately named “Fighting Animals“, is supposed to be a bizarre nature documentary.
It has been suggested that ex-North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, who died in 2011, sanctioned the filming and gave his approval of creating it.
Some claim that the documentary needed rare and valuable animals which would have only been accessible in isolated North Korea via Central Zoo in Pyongyang.
What is even more shocking is that zookeepers would have had to be involved in the “documentary” to put differing animal species in the same cages – and get them to maul each other.
While the zoo’s animal welfare has repetitively been slammed by campaigners, Russian President Vladimir Putin gifted his pal Kim Jong Un snakes and eagles for the zoo.
But expert on North Korea-Russian relations Anthony Rinna told NK News that Russia may not have donated larger animals due to welfare concerns about the poor conditions at the zoo.
The brazen dictator sent eagles, pythons, parrots and fruit bats to the Central Zoo in a bizarre “zoo diplomacy” move.
Animal welfare expert Dr Neil D’Cruze also told The Sun: “It is deeply concerning that a venue with such a reputation for terrible animal welfare is taking on more animals.
“If managed responsibly, modern zoos and sanctuaries can rescue animals from a life of suffering and support re-wilding efforts to save endangered species.”
The Pyongyang’s Central zoo came under fire in 2018 after images emerged of neglected tigers with stillborn cubs and even a chimpanzee with a smoking addiction.
One heartbreaking shot shows a neglected white tiger desperately trying to nurse its stillborn cub back to life.
Another shows algae-covered turtles swim in fetid, dirty pools.
The Mirror claim that one guard was seen picking them up by their tails before hurling them into the putrid pond.
Dr D’Cruze continued: “Too many facilities abuse wildlife for entertainment.
AFP
AP:Associated Press
AP:Associated Press“Places where animals fight to the death or monkeys smoke for laughs have no place in this [supporting re-wilding efforts] mission.”
Kim Jong Un ordered a multi-million pound renovation of its crumbling infrastructure in 2016.
But the zoo reboot did nothing for the animals – which have remained locked up in tiny concrete pens.
The bulk of the investment appeared to have been spent on a bizarre tiger’s head sculpture at the entrance.
But the main sight at the zoo at the time was Azalea – the smoking chimp.
Pitting animals against each other where they have no chance of escape for entertainment is cruel and unnecessary”
Matt CollisAzalea would fascinate and entertain visitors by sparking up cigarettes using a lighter or one already lit – egged on by her trainer.
She could also be prompted to touch her nose, bow thank you and do a simple dance.
Azalea became the zoo’s star attraction in 2016 after the park was renovated following orders from leader Kim Jong-un for efforts to modernise the capital.
Keepers at the zoo, however, insisted she did not inhale as they made their case against activists.
It is unclear where Azalea is now.
Jonas Wahlstrom
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be publish
Jonas Wahlstrom
English (US)