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Adopting a rare animal living at the Shanghai Zoo has become increasingly unpopular over the past three years, despite once being a widespread way to support charity.

Only 16 animals were adopted last year, a record low since the program was set up more than a decade ago.

The zoo began allowing people to adopt a rare animal for just 100 yuan (US$12) in 1993. The adoption periods varied based on individuals.

Everyone who adopted an animal gets a free entrance ticket and a "plate of honor" provided by the zoo. The plates, which have the adopters' names inscribed on them, are mounted outside of their animal's cage.

"At that time we were trying to attract people's love for animals, and also to help with our finances," said Xue Chongde, director of the zoo's animal adoption department.

The scheme was a massive hit at first. Many local companies, schools and individuals had their names on the plates of honor. From 1993 to 2000, 100 animals were adopted each year on average, and about 1,000 animals were adopted in 2000, the peak year for the program.

"As I recall, we could have over a hundred adoptions within a month (at that time)," said Xue.

The number of adoptions have been in decline for the past three years, however, and very few people were willing to renew their adoptions once they ran out.

Xue said other charity events have grabbed the public's attention. "New charity activities and donations are on the rise these years," said Xue. "Thus animal adoption no longer stands out."

Some adopters said the zoo should have done more to allow them to spend time with the animals they sponsored.

"My boyfriend and I adopted a little panda on Valentine's Day a few years ago," said a senior student at the East China University of Science and Technology.

"We visited it often at first, but later on we just stopped going. The zoo was too far away. And the panda was always inside, I couldn't cuddle it."

While the zoo would like to see the program become popular again, it said a lack of adoptions won't be a financial problem.

"Right now we do have sufficient government subsidies," said Xue. "I'm not blaming these adopters after all they did contribute to the zoo. We are in fact very appreciative."

(Shanghai Daily January 14, 2006)