A skating rink in western Japan has caused a stir by freezing some 5,000 dead fish into the ice in a macabre display. The "attraction" has been closed after drawing a wave of criticism on social media.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Images/K. Umeno
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A Japanese skating rink has been forced to close after receiving a storm of criticism for having frozen 5,000 dead fish into the ice to create an "attraction never heard about."
The rink, which forms part of the Space World amusement park in the western city of Kitakyushu, opened the "Ice Aquarium" earlier this month in a bid "to give the feel of the ocean to the ice skating rink."
But rather than affording the intended piscine delight, the display appears to have offended many visitors, who gave voice to their outrage on social media.
'How sinful'
"An event on an ice rink with frozen fish... How sinful," wrote one customer on the park's Facebook page.
"This is no personal, but a social issue. They made food into a toy where children go and play," said another.
Many considered the display a waste of good foodImage: picture-alliance/AP Images/Y. Shimbun
Among the features of the display were dead fish placed to spell out "HELLO" and others forming an arrow-shaped sign.
Memorial service
Responding to the criticism, Space World said it was "extremely remorseful to have evoked such unpleasant feelings," and closed the diplay on Sunday.
The park said the fish were bought from a fish market, and were dead before being frozen into the ice.
The operator plans to hold a Shinto memorial service for the fish once they have been taken out of the ice, which could take about a week, as the rink first has to thaw.
Ending lion trafficking in Lebanon
Governance problems, an economic recession and cultural norms have combined to turn Lebanese zoos into breeding grounds for animal trafficking, particularly of lions. But a rights group is aiming to turn that around.
Image: Animals Lebanon
Playthings of the rich
Zoos in Lebanon breed lions as exotic pets in shocking conditions with little regard for their fate afterwards, animal rights activists say. Cash-strapped zoos can make real money from selling lions, tigers and cheetahs - especially cubs - to the country's elite during a period where the rest of the country can ill afford the 3 euro ($3.30) entrance fee.
Image: Animals Lebanon/Maglebanon
Campaigning for animals
"Most of these animals are being bought from zoos - which is why we're focusing on them," explained Jason Mier, director of Animals Lebanon. "A zoo shouldn't be selling animals … and that's why there is now a new law approved by the government to stop this illegal trafficking," Mier told DW.
Image: DW/M. Jay
Tragic story
A young lioness was rescued after being abused and underfed. After surgery and repeated attempts to save "Queen," vets finally had to put her down. Out of this, the Animals Lebanon campaign began. No lion that leaves a zoo and goes into private "care" lives more than two years, the group says.
Image: Animals Lebanon
Lack of money
Zoos in Lebanon are in a pretty dismal state, generally keeping animals in appalling conditions - according to Animals Lebanon, "often without food, water or shade." This appeared to be the case at Zazoo City, which had two lions and one tiger, yet appears to be severely underfunded.
Image: DW/M. Jay
Bridge over troubled waters
Without even water for its ducks and geese, it's hard to imagine how a zoo can manage to feed animals - particularly large cats - and maintain the upkeep. Zoo owners, animal rights activists believe, are no longer interested in ticket revenues during this economic slump, since having discovered that animal trafficking is much more profitable - with a lion selling for around $10,000.
Image: DW/M. Jay
Lack of oversight
Of course, not all zoo animals are mistreated. The welfare of zoo animals particularly becomes problematic when governance problems plague a country or region. Animals including this tiger, Laziz, were recently evacuated from the "world's worst zoo" in Gaza, which has been decimated by repeated warfare and a blockade.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Four Paws
Lebanese government takes action
This lion cub was taken from a zoo to be used on a television show. Mostly, however, zoos sell lion cubs to private owners. But such days may be coming to an end. Lebanon's Minister of Agriculture Akram Chehayeb has pledged to use "all legal means to seize any animals from traffickers or unlicensed shops. These animals don't belong in a cage or in a home as a symbol of power or personal wealth."
Image: Animals Lebanon
For the kids
Children are often at the heart of the matter. Wealthy parents buy a lion cub for a daughter or son, without considering how to care for it once it grows to full size. Often, concerned parties alert Animals Lebanon to children showing photos of their "pets" on their phones at school. The group can then take action to rescue the animal.
Image: DW/M. Jay
Monkey business
Zoos are also being lobbied by Animals Lebanon to get their houses in order as the Lebanese government issues ultimatums. This "softly, softly" approach, Mier believes, will be a winner in the longer term. European Union-funded support helps - including sending European zookeepers to Lebanon to talk to their Lebanese colleagues.
