18.02.2011, 13:43 3451

China magician's synchronised swimming fish show banned

Chinese animal rights groups are urging TV stations not to show a magician's synchronised swimming fish show as they believe the use of magnets harm the fish, Kazakhstan Today reports.

Almaty. February 18. Kazakhstan Today - Chinese animal rights groups are urging TV stations not to show a magician's synchronised swimming fish show as they believe the use of magnets harm the fish, Kazakhstan Today reports.

A Chinese magician has sparked outrage from animal rights groups with a trick in which he gets goldfish to swim in sync, prompting China's state broadcaster to cancel an encore performance Thursday, Asiaone reported.

They believe the performance could involve the use of magnets and therefore harm the fish, BBC News informs.

However, a separate regional broadcaster said magician Fu Yandong would perform the controversial trick again on Thursday night - and reveal its secret so as to silence his critics.

Fu dazzled audiences two weeks ago with the trick and had planned a repeat performance Thursday on a Lunar New Year holiday show on China Central Television (CCTV).

A CCTV spokeswoman told AFP he would not perform on the show, declining to give further details.

Animal rights activists cried foul over the stunt, saying Fu had likely fed the fish magnets - or implanted them in the fish - so they could be dragged around their tank from underneath.

They said the trick amounted to animal cruelty.

The groups expressed fears the trick could lead to animals being tortured if viewers tried to copy it.

"Fu Yandong, based on the tradition of secrecy in the world of magic, refuses to reveal what lies under his trick. So the public remains unclear whether the fishes' safety is assured," the letter said.

This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.

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