Zoos seem to be becoming more and more unpopular as attitudes towards them have changed. Massive animal rights groups (for example, PETA) oppose them as they believe 'cages and cramped enclosures at zoos deprive animals of the opportunity to satisfy their most basic needs'.
It does seem quite unfair to keep animals in such small, enclosed spaces when they really should be out in the wild. Places like SeaWorld and other 'animal theme parks' are rapidly facing issues.
Since the premiere of the incredibly revealing documentary, Blackfish, back in 2013, SeaWorld has faced problem after problem. According to Marketwatch, SeaWorld's shares have dropped over 62 percent since 2013. Coincidentally, that is the same year that Blackfish hit our screens.
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Well, judging by recent news, animals are fighting back.
Today, footage of a zookeeper being attacked by a zebra was released.
The incident took place at Changlong zoo in the city of Guangzhou, southern China. In the video, you can see the zebra chomping down on the man's arm and dragging him around the enclosure.
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As others try to stop the attack with the aid of a wooden stick, guests at the park can be heard screaming. Apparently, it lasted two minutes in total.
The Daily Mail reported that the zookeeper managed to escape the attack with his life, however, he did suffer hand injuries.
A few days ago, a tourist was mauled to death by three tigers in front of his wife and child.
Chinese media claims the father died after he entered the enclosure, inside Ningbo Younger Zoo, in east China, and walked towards the hungry cats as they were feeding.
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The victim, a young man, was snatched by the big cat at the Ningbo Youngor Zoo in Zhejiang province and dragged away under trees.
Credit: YouTube
Pictures posted to social media shows a man writhing in agony on the floor as the three animals bite and claw his body, with one tiger shot and killed during the incident
Visitors watched helplessly as the man's clothes were ripped off and he lay face down on the ground in just his pants.
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The big cats were undeterred when zoo keepers tried to scare them off with firecrackers and water canons and local reports say the man died from his injuries.
One tiger was then seen dragging the man's blood-soaked body into the enclosure woods by his foot.
A horrified witness told the South China Morning Post: "I saw the tiger mauling the person, whose face was covered with blood. Every time he sat up, the tiger pushed him down again."
Bystanders said he walked into an isolation zone shortly before 2.30 p.m. local time and crossed a river that separates the enclosure from visitors.
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The zoo was closed at 3pm while police and local forestry bureau staff arrived at the zoo at about 3:15pm.
What do you think about zoos and other animal theme parks? Let us know in the comments below.
Featured Image Credit: YouTube