SINGAPORE: Singapore animal rights activists are continuing to be frustrated over the use of two pandas from China to promote what they have described as “cruel animal conditions” at the Singapore Zoo. The exhibit, the River Safari, ended its soft opening this week as guests were no longer limited to a certain number of views. The pandas' enclosure was opened to the public in November last year, ahead of the rest of the River Safari, but is now fully accessible to the public. “We want all animals to not be in captivity and even more so these two pandas because they are not in their natural habitat," animal rights campaigner Teresa Cho told Bikyanews.com. Singapore's government has also begun selling souvenirs, such as panda-inspired bags and toys. The panda pair, which are on a 10-year loan from the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) to Singapore, arrived last year for the $8.5 million enclosure. But activists efforts have largely been in vain as Singapore has pushed on with the enclosure, which zoo officials say is adequate to give the pandas enough room to move around and “be healthy and happy.” BN
