Monkey 'Execution' Performance at Chinese Tourist Attraction Triggers Public Outrage and Official Investigation
A disturbing live performance at a tourist attraction in China, featuring monkeys subjected to simulated executions while tied up, has ignited widespread public anger and prompted an official investigation. The incident occurred at Longquan Ancient Town Drama Fantasy City in Luquan District, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province.
Distressing Footage Shows Monkeys in Simulated Execution Scenario
Video clips from the show depict a macaque monkey fitted with a metal muzzle and dressed in a yellow vest, forced to kneel on the ground by a performer addressing a crowd that included children. The man then covered the monkey's head with a black cloth, tied its arms behind its back to a plastic pipe, and used a prop gun to simulate shooting the animal, after which it dropped to the ground and lay still.
Additional footage showed another monkey tethered by a long rope around its neck, with two other monkeys visible in the background tied up. Viewers described the scenes as deeply distressing and accused the show of blatant animal abuse, leading to a wave of complaints.
Tourist Attraction Responds by Terminating Contract and Halting Show
Staff at Longquan Ancient Town clarified that the monkey act was operated by an outsourced performance team, with the attraction merely providing the venue and having no involvement in the day-to-day management of the show. Following multiple complaints, the scenic area announced it had terminated its contract with the performance partner and halted the act entirely.
Customer service representatives confirmed the show had been removed from the programme. Officials from the Luquan District Culture, Radio, Television, Sports and Tourism Bureau stated they were aware of the public outcry and had launched an investigation, noting that the performers were members of an external team rather than employees of the tourist site. The investigation remains ongoing.
Historical Context of Monkey Abuse Cases Adds to Concerns
This incident echoes previous cases of animal cruelty involving monkeys. In 2023, a sadistic monkey torture ring was exposed, allowing online users to pay for videos of primates being abused. A year-long investigation by the BBC, in collaboration with animal activists, uncovered a global network stretching from the US to Indonesia.
Hundreds of individuals in the US, UK, and other countries were found paying Indonesians to torture and kill baby long-tailed macaques on camera. Initially uploaded to YouTube, the demand for increasingly extreme abuse led to the creation of private groups on the encrypted messaging app Telegram. Police were informed, resulting in arrests of individuals connected to the ring.
The recent performance in China highlights ongoing issues with animal welfare in entertainment settings, sparking calls for stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent such abuses in the future.
