Who Will Adopt Me?

Since March 19, when the Beijing Zoo declared that individuals and institutes could adopt certain animals, many animals have found new "families", according to report of Beijing Today.

　A number of individuals, companies and organizations have shown great interest in animal adoption. Within only one month, the zoo has handled over ten "adoptions" and many more are in progress. Among them, are some foreign-owned companies and international friends, says Yu Shufen, a clerk at the new animal adoption office of the Beijing Zoo.

　The office walls are freshly painted and at the gate, several workers are busily installing electrical wires and lighting. On Yu's desk there is a large pile of documents, files and records. This special office set up at the end of March, after the zoo's administrative office, which was originally in charge of animal adoption, found it could not cope with the increasingly heavy workload.

Unfortunately, the range of animal species that people are keen to "adopt" is quite limited. Generally people prefer the "cuddlier" species, such as deer, rabbits, and monkeys. Of course, the rare and precious animals, like pandas, golden monkeys, and red-crested crane, are the most popular. However, few people pay attention to the more ferocious beasts such as tigers and leopards.

“There is a wild camel at our zoo,” says Yu Shufen. "It is one of our most rare and precious wild animals, the only one of its kind in China. However, most people do not know much about wild camels, some have never even heard of them. So no one wants to adopt it."

People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/