Public Fury Erupts in China Over Disturbing Monkey Mock Execution Show
Widespread outrage has swept across China following the emergence of footage depicting a monkey being subjected to a simulated execution during a live performance at a tourist attraction. The distressing video, which circulated online, has ignited fierce condemnation and accusations of severe animal cruelty.
Graphic Details of the Performance
The incident occurred at Longquan Ancient Town Drama Fantasy City, located in Luquan District, Shijiazhuang, within Hebei Province. A captivated audience, including numerous children, watched as a macaque monkey, fitted with a restrictive metal muzzle and dressed in a yellow vest, was forced to kneel on the ground by a performer addressing the crowd via microphone.
The performer proceeded to cover the primate's head with a black cloth and tightly bind its arms behind its back to a plastic pipe. In a deeply unsettling sequence, the man then picked up a prop firearm and simulated shooting the helpless animal. As part of the act, the monkey subsequently dropped to the ground and lay motionless.
Further compounding concerns, the footage revealed another monkey tethered by a lengthy rope around its neck, with two additional primates visible in the background, also restrained by ropes.
Immediate Backlash and Official Response
The video, which surfaced on February 22, prompted an immediate wave of public complaints, with viewers describing the scenes as profoundly distressing and explicitly denouncing the show as blatant animal abuse.
In response to the mounting criticism, staff at Longquan Ancient Town clarified to media outlets on February 25 that the monkey act was operated by an outsourced performance team. The attraction stated it merely provided the venue and was not involved in the daily management or content of the show.
Following multiple formal complaints, the scenic area management confirmed it had terminated its contract with the external performance partner and permanently halted the controversial act. Customer service representatives verified that the show had been completely removed from the attraction's programme.
Authorities Launch Formal Investigation
Officials from the Luquan District Culture, Radio, Television, Sports and Tourism Bureau acknowledged the significant public outcry on February 25th and 26th, announcing they had launched a formal investigation into the incident.
They corroborated that the performers were members of an external team and not direct employees of the tourist site itself. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances surrounding the performance and potential violations of animal welfare regulations.
Background of the Tourist Site
Longquan Ancient Town has been in operation since 2002, with a focus on preserving and displaying historic buildings relocated from various provinces across China. In a notable recognition, the site was named one of Hebei Province's 'Top Ten Cultural Industry Projects' for the year 2020 in February 2021, highlighting its cultural significance prior to this controversy.
