As part of a gruesome social “ritual.”
China's state-run Xinhua News is reporting that at least 10 tigers were illegally slaughtered in recent months for a ritualistic mass killing, meant as a display of wealth and status.
China Daily / Reuters
Last week, local police busted a smuggling ring in Guangdong province, where they found more than 10 tigers had been captured and killed. 15 suspects were arrested in the operation; the 16th suspect jumped to his death while attempting to flee.
The killings have been tied to "visual feasts," or public electrocutions, to entertain extremely wealthy officials and businessmen.
Above: A tiger found dead during a police raid in January.
China Daily / Reuters
The reports also suggest local public figures and affluent businessmen gathered to watch the mass tiger killings to flaunt their social status. Two years ago, video footage of the "ritual" showed tigers being kept in iron cages and prodded with an electrified piece of iron until it passed out.
