Lunar New Year magic trick riles animal activists

Lunar New Year magic trick riles animal activists

Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year features many street parades and attractions like the magic trick with goldfish swimming in unison shown in state television.

But unlike most shows included in the festivities, animal rights groups criticized the trick because the goldfish may have been exposed to electricity or implanted with magnets for them to swim in sync.

The activists are urging state TV not to repeat the airing of the magic trick by Chinese magician Fu Yandong, which was watched by hundreds of millions of viewers on the eve of the Lunar New Year. Fu was set to perform the trick again on Thursday for the Lantern Festival, the end of the Chinese New Year celebration.

Through a letter to China Central Television, the activists deplored the abuse involved in the goldfish magic trick. "We should stand for nonviolence, harmony and tolerance, but to my great surprise CCTV, the state broadcaster, tells the public we can use animals for entertainment. I think this is just wrong," said Capital Animal Welfare Association director Qing Shaona.

The magician expectedly refused to explain his magic trick. His agent said Fu will still perform the same trick although he was not sure if a repeat show on CCTV will be broadcast. The agent said the goldfish are in good shape and acknowledged the worries of animal rights groups about others inadvertently hurting fish while imitating the trick they see on TV.

CCTV will broadcast all shows and festivities during the Lantern Festival, the traditional end of the Chinese New Year, or more appropriately called the Lunar New Year.

Posted by Kade Quinn on Thursday February 17 2011, 3:22 AM EST. Ref: AP. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0