A new legislation aimed at preventing cruelty to animals, proposed recently, is urgently needed given the increasing number of reports of inhuman treatment of circus and zoo animals.

In July, two pandas died in the Beijing and Jinan (Shandong province) zoos respectively. From late last year through early this year, 13 Siberian tigers died at a Shenyang zoo - 11 due to malnutrition, and the other two shot dead while mauling a zoo worker. These cases have highlighted safety concerns of captive animals in the country.

The State Forestry Administration announced recently that it would inspect circuses to see how captive animals are being treated. Some circus animals suffer from constant confinement in cages and the rigors of training and performance.

The wild animals' normal behavior is seldom discussed at zoos (or in other captive situations), much less observed. Disregard of their natural needs often result in abnormal and self-destructive behavior. There are multiple cases of hungry zoo animals mauling people.

Animals are not meant for human entertainment. Any abusive treatment of animals cannot be condoned.

China's Law for the Protection of Wild Animals has not done enough to prevent abusive treatment of captive animals; a fresh law with stricter provisions is the need of the hour.