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The seller is seen with a string of the so-called lucky charms, that he sells to tourists for less than a pound.

Tiny turtles, lizards and fish are kept alive in the bags by crystallyzed oxygen and nutrients, which are claimed to last for two months.

But activists claim that the animals last as little as a day as their oxygen supply runs out.

David Neale, animal welfare director of Animals Asia said: "Lack of food and diminishing oxygen concentrations within both the water and the small amount of air in these plastic pouches will cause the animals to die in a relatively short period of time after the pouches are sealed."

Many of the bags contain young Chinese soft-shell turtles - with adult turtles being a popular dish in Chinese cooking.

It has been claimed the animals are COOKED and then EATEN as a snack when they die.

However, Mr Neale added that the animals pose a health risk.

He said: "Individuals should also be aware of the potential human health risks associated with being in close contact with animals such as turtles.

"Turtles frequently carry salmonella bacteria that can cause serious illness."

A petition to stop the sale of these live-animal keychains is already underway on Avaaz.org, and has gathered over 143,000 signatures. If you care about the rights of innocent animals, please sign.

Online activist network AVAAZ.org have set up a petition that demands China ban the manufacture and sale of the sick accessories.

Paul Littlefair, Head of International at the RSPCA said China currently has no animal cruelty laws.

He added: "Thankfully, the Chinese government is starting to take the issue much more seriously.

"Animal welfare legislation is still three to five years away but people throughout China are now becoming more aware of the need to treat animals with respect."