China urges zoo reforms amid rising concerns over abuse of animals

China has urged zoos to stop serving wild animal products and holding wildlife performances in an attempt to improve the treatment of tigers, bears and other animals amid concerns over widespread abuse in zoos and wildlife parks.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development posted the suggestions on its website and said inspections would be carried out to see if zoos were complying.

Animal welfare groups have documented widespread abuse in Chinese zoos and wildlife parks, including animal neglect, beatings, and the illegal sale of wine or soup made from the bones of endangered tigers.

Hong Kong-based animal welfare group Animals Asia Foundation released a report in August that said bears in Chinese zoos were beaten and tigers and lions were defanged and declawed, causing chronic pain.