VIDEO - Chinese Zoo Admits Using Painted Dogs as Panda Attractions

 

In a surprising twist, a zoo in southern China’s Guangdong province has confessed that two of its star panda exhibits were actually Chow Chow dogs painted to resemble pandas. The revelation came after a visitor’s video went viral on Douyin (China's TikTok), gaining over 1.4 million views and 725,000 likes.

The zoo had openly labeled the animals as "painted dogs," with signs explaining, "We are called Panda Dogs, a pet dog that looks like a panda, dyed and dressed up by Chow Chow. We are gentle, smart, friendly, cute, and adorable!" The zoo’s manager, Huang, confirmed that these painted dogs were a major attraction at the facility.

This incident isn’t the first of its kind in China. Earlier in May, a zoo in Jiangsu province faced criticism for painting dogs to resemble pandas, sparking public outrage. In a similar vein, a café in Chengdu offered pet dyeing services to mimic pandas, and in 2016, pet shops in Guangdong sold dogs dyed to look like miniature tigers.

The practice has once again raised questions about animal treatment and the ethics of deceiving zoo visitors.

Glitch in the Matrix: China zoo forced to admit the truth after one of their “pandas” started panting and barking. The Shanwei zoo admits they painted dogs white and black to make them look like pandas. pic.twitter.com/5SWDlpOSqB

— SynCronus (@syncronus) September 19, 2024