Legality of animal shows in question

As a circus troupe owner, Ma Haiying has not returned home to Suzhou, Anhui province, for Spring Festival for years.

The Lunar New Year period is one of the hottest seasons for circus performances. Many local residents and tourists take the opportunity during the holiday season to watch shows at amusement parks and zoos.

This year, Ma's troupe performed with four other circus groups in Anyang, Henan province, earning 900,000 yuan ($143,000) during the one-week break.