Monkey’s distress

I was saddened by Yongzhi Chu’s photograph of a cowering monkey, which you included in your article on the 2015 World Press Photo of the Year competition (your report, 13 January).

By The Newsroom

Published 28th Feb 2019, 14:03 GMT

I can’t get the image out of mind. It’s a graphic illustration of the human abuse of power. The terror on the face of the helpless creature is heart-breaking.

China’s circus industry is built on the exploitation of its captive animals.

The Chinese government’s 2012 ban on performing animals is ignored. Those who attend performances for “entertainment” have no conception of the suffering endured by these creatures.

Monkeys are social animals, who suffer greatly from depression and loneliness when separated from their family groups. It’s not hard to identify with their distress when you understand this fact.

If Yongzhi Chu’s intention was to highlight the abuse inherent in Chinese zoos, wildlife parks and circuses, he deserves much more than a photography prize.

Carolyn Taylor

Wellbank

Broughty Ferry