Chinese zoo paints dogs as pandas; fooled visitors daily
The Taizhou Zoo in China's Jiangsu Province has sparked controversy for its unconventional method of displaying pandas. The zoo opted to display Chow Chow dogs with dyed fur, resembling pandas, instead of the real animals! These imitation pandas were introduced on May 1 and displayed daily from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Visitors were shocked to discover that the creatures in the panda enclosure were dogs, leading to widespread indignation and accusations of deception and animal cruelty against the zoo.
Taizhou Zoo defends its decision amid criticism
Despite facing criticism, a Taizhou Zoo spokesperson justified their choice, explaining that since the zoo lacked panda bears, they opted for this alternative. The spokesperson further justified their actions by comparing it to human hair dyeing practices. They stated that dog fur is similar to human hair and can be dyed safely without harm. This statement has done little to quell the public outrage over what many perceive as misleading and cruel treatment of animals.
Strategy to boost visitor numbers
According to a worker at the zoo, speaking to local news outlet Jiangsu News, the initiative to dye Chow Chows to resemble pandas was aimed at boosting visitor numbers and enhancing the enjoyment of the zoo experience. The worker further explained that due to space limitations, the zoo has not been able to accommodate actual pandas. Despite drawing thousands of visitors during the May Day holiday, some netizens raised concerns about the ethics of dyeing the Chow Chows.
In another incident, China presented a Tibetan Mastiff as lion
The trend of giving dogs panda-like makeovers isn't new, with reports emerging a decade ago of puppies dressed as pandas becoming highly sought-after items in Chinese pet stores, causing shortages due to overwhelming demand. In another case, a zoo in central China reportedly tried to present a Tibetan Mastiff as a lion, resulting in surprise among visitors who heard barking instead of roaring.
A similar incident happened in Singapore back in 2016
In 2016, Singapore's Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) initiated an investigation into an incident involving three Chow Chows within the country, which had been dyed to resemble pandas. The owner had initiated a service offering the pure-bred dogs for photo shoots, refuting claims of cruelty in her actions. AVA ascertained whether animal welfare standards had been upheld, noting that the utilization of safe, non-toxic food dyes was improbable to cause harm to the dogs.
