A polar bear ‘hotel’ in China has opened to full occupancy and lots of criticism.
The polar bear enclosure of the Harbin Polarland theme park is now surrounded by hotel rooms offering guests a 24/7 glimpse of the animals. It bills itself as the first polar bear hotel in the world.
The bears are housed in the enclosure with warm lights and artificial ice which animal activists call a cruel spectacle. However a theme park spokeswoman says there is also a larger outdoor section to the enclosure.
That hasn’t pacified PETA. "Polar bears belong in the Arctic, not in zoos or glass boxes in aquariums – and certainly not in hotels," PETA SVP Jason Baker said.
