LONDON DAILY ARCHIVE
Chinese Zoo Confesses to Painting Donkeys to Look Like Zebras
Zibo City amusement park in Shandong province is experiencing criticism for employing painted donkeys as a tactic in its promotional campaign.
16 February 2025 · 12:50 UTC
This disclosure was covered by various media outlets, including the _New York Post_, following a backlash from social media users who criticized the misleading appearance of the animals.
Images emerged showing a zoo employee next to a painted donkey, which clearly displayed stripes created through dye.
In light of the growing uproar, the zoo stated that the dye used was non-toxic.
A staff member explained that the initiative was meant to be a playful promotional stunt.
They mentioned that a local zoo had previously garnered attention by dressing a dog as a panda, which inspired this attempt to replicate that publicity tactic.
The incident has triggered calls for stricter regulations regarding animal welfare standards in zoos.
Responses on social media were mixed, with some users voicing their concerns for both the animals and the visitors.
Criticism directed at the zoo’s practices included demands for improved standards, with some users expressing disappointment over the situation and singling out the trend among Chinese zoos.
This situation is not unique; another zoo in Taizhou, Jiangsu province, recently drew attention for dyeing two dogs to look like tigers.
During a live stream on Douyin, the Chinese equivalent of TikTok, the zoo claimed these were large and fierce tigers.
It was subsequently revealed that the creatures were actually Chow Chow dogs dyed black and orange.
After the video of the dyed dogs went viral, the Taizhou zoo acknowledged using the stunt to gain attention but insisted that there were no health risks associated with the dye employed.
Both incidents highlight ongoing debates regarding animal treatment and marketing strategies in various zoos across China.