Orangutan Boxing Matches Popular in Thailand    [03-05-2010] These days, orangutan boxing matches are gaining huge popularity in Thailand. The special matches are being held at a theme park called Safari World, outside Bangkok. Many tourists come to see the shows. The orangutan boxers have been trained to hit each other to entertain people. They wear boxing gloves and shorts for the 30-minute boxing matches. Many people from all over the world cheer while watching the two orangutans duke it out for 30 minutes at a time. Many animal lovers say that the orangutan boxing matches are very cruel. This is because orangutans are peaceful animals and they don’t like to fight with each other. But the theme park forced them to hit and punch each other to attract tourists and make money. “It’s very sad to see people cheering as the two peace-loving animals punch each other,” an animal activist said with teary eyes. “Even though the theme park says that the orangutans have been trained to simulate being knocked-down, this is still cruel. I’m sure they would be beaten by the staff if they don’t fight with each other.” In 2004, the Thai government shut down the monkey boxing matches due to their cruelty. Many animal activists are wondering how the orangutan shows are allowed in the country. What do you think about the orangutan boxing matches? Would you like to go watch it? Or do you think it is wrong to watch it?     출처: 어린이 영자신문 키즈타임즈 (www.kidstimes.net)