All too often we find ourselves reporting on depressing animal-related news here in the People’s Republic: beheaded dolphins, dead pandas, tortoises hauling around iPads as part of some ill-conceived art exhibit and similar. But today, we bring animal lovers some positive news: the Guangzhou Zoo has ended its animal circus show.

According to a report by Guangzhou Daily, the Guangzhou Zoo made the decision not to renew the circus’ contract after the old agreement expired on August 31.

The zoo was one of the first in China to have a circus performance, which became renowned nationwide back in the 1960s, according to China Global Television Network (CGTN).

Over the past 24 years, the Guangzhou Zoo saw 10 million guests attend the half-hour circus shows, which ran 10 times per day during holidays and included monkeys, chimpanzees and parrots – among other species.

But in recent times, the circus’ fame has turned to infamy, with the Chinese public taking an increasingly negative view on animal shows, calling for more animal rights and the termination of performances.

The area formerly utilized by the circus will be transformed into a nonprofit education center, with the aim of educating visitors about animal behavior. Visitors to the zoo will be able to check out the planned center free of charge.

The Guangzhou Zoo is also in the process of upgrading animal enclosures, something that has been called for in China’s ‘guidelines of the development of national zoos,’ according to CGTN. In the plan, authorities point out that China’s zoos lag far behind the advanced zoos of the world and should aim to modernize over the next decade.

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[Image via China Global Television Network]

