February 13th 2025.
In recent news, a Chinese zoo has made headlines for an unusual tactic to attract visitors - painting their donkeys to look like zebras. This idea was inspired by past successful attempts, like painting dogs to resemble pandas, to draw in more crowds. However, their plan backfired when photos of the "zebras" at Zibo City amusement park in Shandong province went viral on social media, causing a stir and serving as fodder for memes.
The public was quick to react, with one user on Weibo calling the act "misleading and unethical". Similarly, another user on Douyin, the Chinese equivalent to TikTok, stated that it was unfair to both the animals and the visitors. Despite the backlash, the park's staff defended their actions, citing it as a clever marketing strategy to increase foot traffic. Many were convinced by the painted donkeys, but others were skeptical, saying it was "too good to be true".
The park officials claimed that the dye used was non-toxic and did not harm the animals in any way. However, animal rights activists were still concerned about the implications of altering animals' appearances for the sake of entertainment. This incident sparked a larger conversation about the ethical treatment of animals and the need for stricter regulations to prevent similar practices in the future.
Just last month, another Chinese zoo made headlines for a similar stunt - dyeing dogs orange and black to resemble tigers. However, this attempt was not as convincing as the painted donkeys. Video footage showed a Chow Chow running around with paint all over its fur at the Qinhu Bay Forest Animal Kingdom zoo in Taizhou, China. Other photos also surfaced, showing two other Chow Chows, a breed native to China, also covered in paint.
Eventually, the zoo admitted that it was all a "gimmick" and reassured the public that the dogs were not at risk because professionals applied the dye. However, eagle-eyed social media users on Douyin were quick to point out that these were definitely not real tigers. This incident serves as a reminder of the power of social media and the need for responsible and ethical treatment of animals in the entertainment industry.
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