Seeing animals at outdoor events is a happy occasion, but only if they are humanely treated. A recent display of rabbits has alarmed the public, who took to social media and logged complaints with their local government to improve “working conditions” for animal companions.
Video script:
The 2024 Yilan Green Expo was held at the Wu Lao Keng Scenic Area on Saturday. However, when people visited the zoo area, they found six rabbits kept in a small hutch with no food or water, arousing heated discussion in public forums.
The rabbits barely had space to hop, though with the bottom of the cage being wire mesh, they would feel discomfort even walking.
Many unhappy spectators posted on social media, voicing their worry over the rabbits’ lack of basic necessities or that their cage is much too small, and called for improvements for the sake of the animals.
A staff member pointed out that they’ve added wooden boards to the floors and water has been placed in the upper area of the hutch. They also added that the rabbits are only brought out after they’ve eaten to make sure they are not hungry.
However, when people returned to see the enclosure, they noticed that the event organizer, in their efforts to improve the situation, now only has one rabbit “performing” at a time. One man explained that rabbits are social animals and should not be kept alone. Another parent explained that they should have a larger enclosure so that they can not only have company but also enough space to roam for the children to watch.
Yilan County Agriculture Department Director Li Hsin-tai (李新泰) addressed the public concern, stating that the government inspected the event for inappropriate husbandry. He said the organizer was told to make improvements to ensure that the animals receive the best care.
The Green Expo has animals on display every year, with this year featuring goats, sheep, and cows for the public to visit. Animal-friendly displays that educate the public on sustainable, ideal care should be the norm, rather than the other way around where the public educates the organizer.