Report saying practice had bad effect on visitors put reserves under pressure
Nature reserves and zoos have decided to end the practice of feeding live prey to wild animals, which is often used to attract visitors.
The agreement was reached at an industry meeting of representatives of 22 reserves and zoos nationwide, held on Saturday in Kunming, capital of Yunnan province.
The self-regulation is aimed at improving standards of animal protection and sparing onlookers from distress, they say.
Visitor numbers to reserves and zoos typically peak around feeding times, when live oxen, horses or poultry are often fed to animals, including lions and bears.
Handlers will now feed wild animals only with carcasses or pieces of meat, with any reserves or zoos that break the pledge being stripped of their operating licences.