The Animal Advocates Society WatchDog News

Monkey "wedding" at Chinese zoo *PIC*

Posted By: Norma Roselli
Date: Monday, 8 September 2008, at 12:00 p.m.

Globe and Mail letters: Picture respect for animals
VALERIE ROLFE LUPINI

September 6, 2008

Victoria -- Showing the photo of the two monkeys in a Chinese zoo dressed as a bride and groom, and writing as part of the caption that they are "tak[ing] part" in the ceremony, implies that it's fun, voluntary and acceptable (Day In Photos: Best From The Past 24 - online, Sept. 5).

These are wild creatures in captivity that are not only dressed in costume, but tethered with chains around their necks. It's sickening. Sure, use the photo, but use it to draw attention to the fact that animals continue to be mistreated and objectified for our amusement.

When people start to view animals who are dressed up and crudely tethered as unhappy victims of the zoo and entertainment industries, then we'll make great strides in what we loosely term "civilized society."

Photo: Reuters A seven-year-old male monkey named Wukong and a six-year-old female monkey named Xiaoya take part in a special wedding ceremony at a zoo in Wenling, China