HA NOI (VNS)  — Duong Doan Anh Minh has won an art contest with a painting indicating how elephants feel when used for entertainment in circuses launched by Animals Asia to raise awareness about wild animal abuse.

Minh said when he was young he was fascinated by circuses and animal trainers, but when he grew up he realised the animals had to suffer in order to perform.

"To bring laughter to audiences, these animals are flogged, chained and caged," Minh said. "I don't want my children and grandchildren to find fun in animal torture. They should learn to love and respect animals."

According to Tuaan Bendixsen, an Animals Asia representative in Viet Nam, circuses cage and chain animals for most of their lives.

Living in a circus environment was totally different from how they lived in nature, Bendixsen said.

For winning first prize, Minh received VND12 million (US$600) during a ceremony at the Bear Rescue Centre in the northern province of Vinh Phuc. — VNS