Not just star species that need care

Some micro-bloggers have complained online that they saw the staff at Dujiangyan branch of China Protection and Research Center for Giant Panda acting improperly when feeding the bears. The center responded that they had already censured the involved staff. Thepaper.cn comments:

According to reports, the staff's improper behavior included feeding the pandas without wearing gloves, wearing makeup, and shaking the frame when collecting pandas' blood.

The complainers are rather professional because they have listed clearly how these improper deeds would risk the health even safety of the pandas and the staff, while the center responded quite quickly.

The case shows the improved awareness of animal welfare in China, which has emerged in the past few years. Previously, there had been reports of companies raising black bears to extract their gall bile, which sparked fierce criticism.

However, people's sympathy seems not so equally distributed among animals. Pandas doubtlessly get the lion's share. Whenever the staff at the research center act a bit differently toward pandas, they will be heavily criticized online. But in many unregulated zoos nationwide, animals such as wolves, elephants, lions live in much worse conditions than the pandas in the Dujiangyan branch of the China Protection and Research Center for Giant Panda, because the latter is funded by the State and has all kinds of good equipment.

That's because pandas are stars of the animal kingdom, with lots of fans on social networks. Other animals do not get the same attention.

The latest reports state that some micro-bloggers are still protesting against the actions of the staff involved, calling for them to receive heavier penalties. They might have their reasons, but considering the fact that the pandas have not come to any harm, it is unnecessary to severely punish the staff.

It would be much better if the protesters could show some sympathy to other animals, too. There are stray dogs and cats on the street that need care, and there are wolves, red pandas, monkeys and elephants being badly treated in zoos. Please let these animals share your love and warmth, too.