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An animal attraction at a mall in Guangzhou, China has been dubbed a “prison” for the bears, beluga whales, wolves and other marine and polar animals.

Opened in January, the Grandview Mall Ocean World Aquarium, has been condemned by international media and animal rights groups being described as the ‘worst zoo in the world’.

Two white bears - billed as polar bears but more likely polar/brown bear hybrids - five walrus calves, six young beluga whales and two Arctic wolves are among the animals on display in the mall.

One media outlet reported that “on a recent visit, one bear paced back and forth in a small enclosure, displaying behaviour that experts say reflects stress and possible psychological problems. Wolves lay listlessly in a small room, while walrus calves and belugas swam back and forth in confined spaces.”

The foxes' enclosure consists of a small wooden playhouse, a few logs haphazardly thrown on the floor and some dog bowls.

A report in Chinese media described the belugas swimming in dirty water, a whale shark being confined to a small tank and a dead groper – with the report provoking outrage and going viral on social media.

The poor state of the animals and their limited space has led to additional criticism over the animals being in spaces too small for them to express their natural behaviours, and keeping their bears in conditions that threaten the animals’ long-term wellbeing.

Hong Kong-based conservation group Animals Asia calls the conditions in the mall “horrifying” and describes it as a “prison for animals.”

A groper lying dead on his side in front of the aquarium glass.

In a Blog post, Animal Asia’s Animal Welfare Director Dave Neale wrote “taking animals from their natural environments can never be defended, but when they’re re-homed in conditions like we’re seeing at the Grandview Aquarium it’s the worst possible situation.

“While those behind this may claim this as education, it’s clear the motivation here is bottom line profit. As long as businesses are allowed to use animals in this manner, wealth will always be put ahead of welfare.”

Neale has taken some encouragement from the negative reaction to the mall on social media, adding “what is clear is that a significant section of Chinese society will not accept this, and the negativity surrounding the Grandview Aquarium is the only thing that will challenge developments like this.”

The Grandview Aquarium is apparently run by Haichang Holdings, China's largest operator of marine parks.

A white wolf curls up alone in the corner of a stark concrete exhibit.

With a growing number of animal attractions in China – either as standalone zoos or as part of shopping and visitor attractions, there is growing concern over the ways in which marine and land animals are secured. With a need to stock exhibits there are fears that the ways in which animals are being caught causes stress while also disrupting social groups – with the animals then kept in inadequate conditions that are likely to cause suffering.

Grandview Aquarium Manager Li Chengtang denied claims that the attraction keeps animals in unsuitable environments, saying its purpose is to popularise science and nurture marine life.

Li was reported by local media as saying that the attraction provides enough space for polar animals to live and play and professionals are monitoring animals' mental health.

The exhibit featuring five walrus calves appears to be perpetually dark, except for the flashes from tourists' cameras.

Meanwhile, the Guangzhou Daily reported that the Guangzhou Ocean and Fishery Bureau has opened an investigation into the aquarium and found that some animals died or were hurt when being moved into the aquarium.

Animals Asia and the China Cetacean Alliance are calling for the closure of the attraction and have commenced a petition on the matter.

As Neale concludes “we all need to continue to publicly object to such facilities - and for those living locally, we say, ‘So long as animals are suffering, choose somewhere else to shop. Don’t reward cruelty.’”

Click here to view the petition.

Top image shows a polar/brown bear hybrid on his hind legs in front of the glass, reaching up his head and appearing to cry out. All images courtesy of Animals Asia.

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