China: a peek inside live animal markets

Scorpions scamper in bowls, water snakes coil in tanks and cats whine in cramped cages, waiting to be slaughtered, skinned and served for dinner. Welcome to markets in China, where everything from turtles to insects are sold alongside fowl and fish

  • The live animal markets of Guangdong province are notorious for the huge array of reptiles, insects, fish and many other creatures destined for the soup pot, dinner plate and traditional medicine cabinet. Luo Xinmei and her NGO, the Asian Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, are trying to save wild animals by changing Chinese tastes.
    China animal markets: A woman holds a turtle which will be sold for food, at a market in China.

  • A sliver of slither to get the saliva going? A handful of snakes is held at arm's length by a market trader in Guangzhou China.
    China animal markets: A man holds up snakes for sale as food in China

  • A bowl of live water beetles. The water beetle, also known as the 'predacious diving beetle', is often fried with garlic and ginger and sold as a side dish. They can also be steamed and served on watercress with a plum sauce.
    China animal markets: A bowl of live water beetles on sale at a market in Guangzhou China.

  • A kitten claws at the bars of its cage at Qingping market.
    China animal markets: A cat is caged at Qingping market in Guangzhou, China

  • Scorpions climb on top of each other like crabs in a bucket at the seaside. Many will end up in soup, prepared as in this recipe from the World Museum, Liverpool.
    China animal markets: Scorpions for sale at a market in China

  • Turtle soup is enjoyed not just in China but in many cultures, including the southern US.
    China animal markets: A turtle for sale at a market in China

  • Turtles destined for the soup pot.
    China animal markets: Turtles and terrapins for sale at a market in China

  • The Asian Turtle Rehabilitation Centre is part of a growing and increasingly important band of young Chinese trying to help endangered species by changing consumer attitudes
    China animal markets: Turtles for sale at a market in China

  • Fish at the Taipint animal market in Guangdong
    China animal markets: Fish in a tank at a market in China

  • Civets are used around the world not only for their meat but for a musk used to stabilise perfume - which animal rights groups object to - and to produce kopi luwak, also known as civet coffee. The creatures eat coffee berries which pass through them undigested; it is said that the process adds to the coffee's flavour, and the beans fetch a high price.
    China animal markets: A masked palm civet on sale at the Xin Yu animal mark in Guangzhou, China.

  • Kittens by the bag. Money changes hands for a bag of live cats destined for the table.
    China animal markets: Kittens sold by the bag at a market in Guangzhou, China

  • Baby rabbits are properly called rabbit kittens. Rabbit meat is low in fat, high in protein and does not have the cholesterol level of chicken, beef or pork. Rabbit can still be found in UK butchers, but less so in supermarkets.
    China animal markets: Baby rabbits for sale as food at Guangzhou Market, China.

  • Juxtaposition. Cats are kept in a chickenwire cage above a chicken that is less likely to try to scratch or otherwise hurt its handler.
    China animal markets: Cats are caged along with chickens at Qingping market in Guangzhou

  • Field rats are kept inside a cage before being slaughtered and cooked at a wild game restaurant in Guangzhou, China
    China animal markets: Field rats are kept inside a cage in Guangzhou, China

  • Dogs are transported in cages to Guangzhou market
    China animal markets: Dogs are transported in cages to Guangzhou market , Southern China.

  • A turtle for sale at a market in China
    China animal markets: A turtle for sale at a market in China
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