GUANGZHOU, China (Reuters) — More than 330,000 signatures have been collected calling for the closure of the Grandview Aquarium in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, in which two polar bears and many other animals have been kept for visitors to take selfies with, Hong Kong-based charity Animals Asia said in a press release on July 13.
The aquarium has been making headlines since it opened in January, after Chinese netizens posted photos of dead fish or depressed-looking animals in the aquarium.
In a video shared by Animals Asia with Reuters, which was shot in March, one of the two polar bears, under the name Pizza, was lying lifelessly on the ground with a bone in its arms.
Animals Asia’s visit to the aquarium and petition to close it has brought the issue to international spotlight.
Animals Asia’s Animal Welfare Director, Dave Neale wrote in the press release that the charity is working with aquarium staff to improve the living conditions for Pizza as it is unlikely to shut down immediately.
