A zoo in southwestern China locked lions, bears, and wolves in their cages as deadly flooding triggered by Typhoon Maysak swept through the region. The decision was called ‘unconscionable’ by the animal rights group PETA.

Earlier this week, a zoo in the city of Guigang – one of the hardest-hit cities in the southwestern region of Guangxi – locked up animals to prevent them from escaping when flooding hit the city. Three lions drowned and more than 100 animals went missing.

The zoo’s owner said, ‘We didn’t want to create more trouble for the country when the floods came and let dangerous animals escape and hurt people.’ Floodwaters at the zoo rose to more than 2 meters (6.6 feet).

More than 100 other animals, including a pair of zebras, three miniature ponies, ostriches, alpacas, raccoons, and peacocks, were washed away. At least one of the missing zebras has been found dead.

The brown bears and wolves that had been locked in their cages were in poor condition after nearly drowning in the flood. PETA’s Asia president, Jason Baker, said, ‘The tragedy unfolding in Guangxi, China, should be a warning to every zoo and captive wildlife facility in the path of extreme weather.’

Baker called for evacuation plans and an end to keeping wild animals in zoos, saying it is ‘unconscionable’ to leave animals trapped behind bars as floodwaters rise.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.