China

A Chinese zoo has been asked to clear the speculations about their bizarre-looking ‘pandas’. Shanwei Zoo in China has admitted that the pandas are painted chow-chow dogs. 

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Chinese zoo visitors are barking mad after knowing that the alleged pandas they excitedly visited were just dogs painted to look like pandas. They were excited to see the pandas advertised but were left puzzled after the bears began barking and panting in their enclosure. The footage of these animals quickly went viral all over the internet, and everybody concluded that there were no real pandas.  

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The zoo initially tried to claim that the obvious dogs were a breed of panda dogs. As zoo goers and people watching it online refused to accept the claim, the zoo was forced to agree that they had dyed two chow-chow- a popular dog originating from the country. Chow-chows are known for their distinctive lion-like mane and are one of the oldest breeds in the country.

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Unsurprisingly, the enraged visitors are demanding their money back from the zoo, which says it is home to exotic and rare animals. However, it is not the first time a zoo in China has tried to do a similar scam. In May, Taizhou Zoo also tried a similar activity by painting several dogs in black and white. When the authorities were asked about the scam, a representative said, “There are no panda bears at the zoo, and we wanted to do this as a result.” 

Many furious locals and animal rights groups have slammed the act as animal cruelty. Dying an animal’s fur can be dangerous and fatal. Some animals can sustain serious burns or maybe die due to the deadly toxins in the dye. 

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People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said on their website, “No animal has a natural desire or need to be dyed, pierced, tattooed, mutilated, or modified in any other way to appeal to humans’ aesthetic preferences.” It further added, “Forcing an animal to endure this kind of suffering isn’t trendy — it’s abusive.”

(with inputs from agencies)