Frosty reception for China hotel with polar bears on show

‘Haven’t we learned anything about animal cruelty?’ Frosty reception for China hotel with polar bears on show 24 hours a day

• At ‘Harbin Polar Land’ in northeastern China, the hotel’s bedroom windows face onto the bears’ pen 
• The bears are photographed by guests under harsh warm lights, in a space comprising fake rocks and icicles
• ‘Polar bears belong in the Arctic, not in zoos or glass boxes in aquariums and certainly not in hotels,’ said Peta 

A Chinese hotel built around a central polar bear enclosure for its guests’ non-stop viewing pleasure opened on Friday to immediate condemnation from conservationists. 

At ‘Harbin Polar Land’ in northeastern China, the hotel’s bedroom windows face onto the bears’ pen, with visitors told the animals are their ‘neighbours 24 hours a day’.

A video shows the bears – a threatened species – photographed by crowds of guests under harsh warm lights, in a space consisting of fake rocks and icicles, and a white painted floor. 

A newly opened hotel in China’s northeast is built around a polar bear enclosure for its guests to view

‘Harbin Polar Land’, a Chinese hotel in the country’s northeast, has drawn condemnation from conservationists over its polar bear enclosure

 Animal rights activists urge people to stay away from establishments profiting ‘from animals’ misery’

Animal rights organisations reacted with outrage, urging customers to stay away from establishments profiting ‘from animals’ misery’.

‘Polar bears belong in the Arctic, not in zoos or glass boxes in aquariums – and certainly not in hotels,’ said Peta Asia’s Vice President, Jason Baker.

In the wild, polar bears usually roam territories that can span thousands of miles, Baker added. 

‘Polar bears belong in the Arctic, not in zoos or glass boxes in aquariums – and certainly not in hotels,’ said Peta Asia’s Vice President, Jason Baker

Harbin is famous for its ice-carving festival, and the hotel resembles a giant igloo, with its roof topped by artificial ice. 

But some Chinese social media users expressed unease at how far the theme has been taken.

‘A panoramic prison for polar bears… haven’t we learned anything about animal cruelty?’ one commentator said.

Harbin is famous for its ice-carving festival, and the hotel resembles a giant igloo, with its roof topped by artificial ice. But some Chinese social media users expressed unease at how far the theme has been taken. ‘A panoramic prison for polar bears… haven’t we learned anything about animal cruelty?’ one commentator said

In the wild, polar bears usually roam territories that can span thousands of miles

‘Gaps in China’s wildlife protection law allows businesses to exploit animals without any concern for their welfare,’ a spokesman for China Animal Protection Network, who declined to be named, told AFP. 

Chinese authorities recently changed the law to ban the consumption of wildlife for food after speculation over the origins of the coronavirus nudged investigators towards a Wuhan market selling animals.

But the use of parts of endangered species in traditional medicine remains rampant, and Chinese circuses and zoos are often criticised for poor standards in animal housing and care.

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