Canidrome, Macau
Interactive map of Canidrome, Macau | |
| Location | Nossa Senhora de Fátima, Macau, China |
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| Coordinates | 22°12′32″N 113°32′46″E / 22.20889°N 113.54611°E |
| Date opened | 1932 |
| Date closed | 2018 |
| Canidrome, Macau | |||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 逸園賽狗場 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 逸园赛狗场 | ||||||||||
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The Macau (Yat Yuen) Canidrome Club (Chinese: 逸園賽狗場), located in Nossa Senhora de Fátima, Macau, China, was a greyhound racing stadium in Asia. Around 120 dogs took part in 16 races five days per week. It had two grandstands, several private boxes and a VIP lounge. It shared the venue with Lin Fong Sports Centre, a sport complex.
History
The Canidrome opened in 1932 but was closed in 1938 due to the Second Sino-Japanese War. It reopened in 1963.[1]
From the 1960s until the mid-2010s, the Canidrome sourced a substantial number of its racing greyhounds from Australia.[2] In 2013, the Australian industry body Greyhounds Australasia ceased issuing export passports for greyhounds destined for Macau following concerns raised about welfare standards at the track.[3]
Despite the industry ban, The Guardian reported that federal authorities continued issuing export permits, and hundreds of greyhounds were exported after Macau had been blacklisted.[2] In 2015, ABC News reported that Australian breeders were continuing to send dogs to Macau and raised concerns about conditions at the Canidrome.[4]
After Australian exports were curtailed, the Canidrome sought to source greyhounds from Ireland.[4] Proposed shipments from the United Kingdom in 2016 were halted after transport containers were deemed unsuitable at Heathrow Airport.[5][6]
On 21 July 2016, the Gaming and Inspection Bureau (DICJ) of Macau met with representatives of the Canidrome and presented the operator with an ultimatum to close or relocate the facility within two years.[7]
The Canidrome closed on 21 July 2018. At the time of closure, more than 500 greyhounds remained at the facility. Macau authorities fined the operator under animal welfare legislation and assumed responsibility for the animals after determining that an adequate rehoming plan had not been provided despite prior notice that the lease would expire.[2][3]
Following negotiations and international fundraising efforts coordinated by animal welfare organisations, including ANIMA Macau, 517 greyhounds received veterinary care and were rehomed in Europe, North America, Australia and Macau.[8]
Future use
In August 2018, the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) revealed that around two-thirds of the total area would continue to be used for sports activities, including the expansion of the existing Lin Fong Sports Centre, another 20% of the space would host education facilities, it was also revealed that an underground stormwater storage tank would be built below the sports facilities. This was included in the plan so as to mitigate the risk of flooding. There will also be a parking lot with a minimum capacity of 400 parking spaces. However, in July 2019, the Macau Daily Times found the land plot in a state of neglect and decay.[9]
See also
References
- ^ "The closing of the Canidrome!". Macau Business. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
- ^ a b c Knaus, Christopher (20 July 2018). "Macau authorities to care for 600 greyhounds after notorious track closes". The Guardian. Reuters. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ a b Needham, Kirsty (24 July 2018). "The fight is on for Australian greyhounds abandoned in Macau". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ a b Birtles, Bill; Amy Donaldson (9 July 2018). "What will happen to more than 600 Australian-bred greyhounds when Macau's Canidrome closes?". ABC News. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ "Anima unleashes new strategy". Macau Business. 15 May 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
- ^ Monaghan, Gabrielle (15 May 2016). "Greyhounds saved from China ordeal". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Daniel Beitler (22 July 2016). "Canidrome presented with ultimatum: Close or move". Macau Daily Times. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
- ^ "Latest greyhounds leave the canidrome of Macau". ine news. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
- ^ Renato Marques (15 July 2019). "Oone year later, Canidrome still waiting for better days". Macau Daily Times. Retrieved 8 August 2021.