Young bucks that have had their antlers removed peer over a fence at the Chongqing Zoo on Wednesday. Photo: IC

The Chongqing Zoo was accused of animal cruelty on social media for their routine removal of antlers from deer to prevent them from injuring one another.

Employees had responded to the outcry on Wednesday after several photos of resident sika deer without antlers went viral, sparking suspicions of abuse and profiteering. 

Netizens made pointed accusations against the city zoo of purposefully cutting off deer antlers, particularly the "velvet" skin coating, to be sold as high-priced traditional Chinese medicine believed to promote bone growth and healthy blood.

However, a zoo official explained that employees remove the antlers annually to prevent males from attacking each other as they become increasingly aggressive during mating season.

The park official, surnamed Zhang, said that bucks naturally shed their velvet every year as their antlers grow. Often times antlers will fall off naturally, he added.

Antler removal involves a complicated procedure that involves a strong anesthetic before removing the antler with sterilized instruments and then bandaging the wound. 

Zhang explained the park stores the antlers, which by the time of removal have already ossified and have little medicinal value.

China News Service