Bears on motorcycles and tigers riding horses

Thousands of animals made to perform in Chinese zoos and circuses are routinely beaten and abused, a charity has claimed.

Bears are whipped and beaten with sticks, elephants are prodded with metal hooks, while tigers and lions are made to endure chronic pain by being defanged and declawed., the Animal Asia Foundation say.

Tens of thousands of Chinese flock to see bears being made to ride motorcycles and fight in 'boxing matches, tigers which clamber on top of horses and monkeys made pedal bicycles.