Visitors at the Shanwei Zoo in China were shocked to discover that the pandas they were seeing were actually dogs painted to resemble the endangered bears. The truth came to light when one of the supposed pandas started barking and panting like a dog, sparking outrage and disbelief among zoo-goers. Footage of the painted dogs soon circulated online, showing two “pandas” with noticeable dog features, like curly tails, roaming in the enclosure.
Initially, the zoo tried to dodge the allegations by claiming that the animals were a breed called “panda dogs.” However, as the public refused to accept this explanation, the zoo finally admitted that they had dyed two Chow Chows, a fluffy dog breed commonly found in China, to look like pandas. This confession only fueled the frustration of the visitors, who began demanding refunds for the deceptive experience.
Chinese Zoo Faces Outrage After Visitors Discover “Pandas” Are Painted Dogs, Sparking Ethics Debate
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a Chinese zoo has attempted such a stunt. In May, Taizhou Zoo admitted to a similar trick, where they disguised Chow Chows as pandas. The zoo defended the practice by stating that since they didn’t have real pandas, the disguised dogs were the best alternative they could offer. This justification did little to quell public criticism.
In light of these incidents, visitors are now being urged to stay alert for potential animal impostors at zoos. The use of painted dogs as panda substitutes raises concerns about the ethics of zoo practices and the treatment of animals, as well as the need for greater transparency in attractions.
