What's wrong with people? Will they do ANYTHING just to make a fast buck?
It's not happening here and I certainly hope it never does but with that said, there must be something that can be done to stop things like this from going on regardless of where it occurs.
Vendors in China have found a new way to rake in dollars and it comes at the expense of thousands of tiny, little lives. While some would liken these little creatures to be no different than an insect, I say the whole concept is cruel and unacceptable.
In China, they're taking live baby turtles and in some instances little fish (whichever is the desire of the consumer) and sealing them inside a small plastic bag. Each baggy, seven centimeters in length, is then filled with colored liquid and made into a key chain. The vendors, who sell the baggies at the entrances to subways or train stations, say the colored water is a "nutrient rich" solution that allows the live creatures shoved inside to live for a few months, after which - if this story couldn't get any more sad - the animals die. According to the cofounder of the International Center for Veterinary Services the fish and turtles couldn't survive too long due to the lack of oxygen (obviously), regardless of how "nutrient rich" the colored water may be.
Oh, and rumor also has it after the inevitable death happens the cadavers are heated in the microwave for 15 seconds and then eaten while the diner enjoys an ice cold beer. Ewww....
If the existence of these key chains isn't disturbing enough, the fact that they're not illegal makes them even worse. Apparently China only has a Wild Animal Protection Law, under which the key chains don't happen to fall. And since there is no law preventing their existence there may not be an end to them anytime soon. In fact, according to the Global Times business is booming. An observer watched one fish key chain and nine turtle key chains sell in just five minutes to both people who think they're kind of neat, and to others who buy the key chains to free the animals.
And that was my thought, that someone should buy them all and then free the creatures. But it's a catch 22 type deal. If you buy the key chain, you support the business and in turn keep it going.
Animal protection groups are now voicing their opinions on the matter and with any luck this practice will be stopped. Making money is fine and dandy, but seriously this is completely crossing the line.
