Shanghai Citizens Attitudes On Eating Wild Animals
According to the results of this survey by the Public Health Institute of Shanghai No. 2 Medical Sciences University, 58% of Shanghai citizens feel that wild animals such as sparrows, frogs, tortoises, and snakes should not be consumed, though 83% acknowledged eating them in the past.
Of the 400 Shanghainese surveyed, 60% said they would never eat a wild animal, while 23% said they would remain avid epicureans, and 18% were uncertain.
Only 2% of the 240 respondents who swore to stay away from wildlife dishes said that it was because “animals are friends to human beings and should be well protected”, while the majority refrained for fear of catching diseases or breaking the law.
Of the 23% of affirmed wildlife eaters, 30% said wild animals were “nutritious and delicious”, 60% percent were eager to try new tastes, and 9% were just following others.
High income earners seem to eat more wild animals, as the survey found nearly all whose monthly income exceeds 5,000 yuan (US$600) admitted having eaten wild animals, compared with 78% of those earning less than 1,000 yuan (US$120).