A Chinese zoo faces criticism after visitors were stunned by an overweight panther, raising concerns about animal welfare and zoo conditions.
Recently, a video of a very overweight panther at a zoo in China has caused a lot of anger among animal lovers.
The panther, a large black cat, struggles to walk because of its size.
This footage has gone viral online and many people are upset by what they see.
Distressing footage from Chengdu Zoo shows a hugely obese panther
The video was taken at the Chengdu Zoo in Sichuan Province. It shows the panther waddling around its enclosure.
Viewers can see its big stomach hanging low to the ground. The panther tries to hide behind a tree, but its size makes it hard to miss.
Many people who watched the video were shocked by how big the panther looked.
Zoo officials later stated that the panther is a 16-year-old female. They mentioned that the animal is very old and has health problems.
The staff said the panther’s metabolism is not functioning well. This raises concerns about how the zoo cares for its animals.
Many people believe that the panther’s weight is a result of being overfed.
Animal lovers react with anger
Social media is filled with comments about the panther’s condition. Many people are calling for better treatment of animals in zoos.
One user said: I thought it was a hippo without my glasses. Please do something.
The second user wrote: No Exercise I think , Eat and sleep Always.
The third user commented: The zoo must not have a nutritionist on staff. Almost all zoos in the US have an nutritionist on staff!
The fourth user said: They should be arrested for animal cruelty. Thats so sad.
Another user added: Probably because there is no room run. FFS! How is this entertaining to anyone??
Someone said: this animal needs to be moved to a larger facility for rehab to lose that weight.
The zoo’s response to the backlash
In response to the criticism, a zookeeper stated that they will reduce the amount of food given to the panther.
They plan to cut back on the beef and other types of food the animals receive.
However, many people are skeptical about whether this will be enough to improve the panther’s condition.
A zoo keeper said: We are reducing the amount of food! We will start by reducing the beef and other things.”
A pattern of issues in Chinese zoos
This incident is not the first time zoos in China have faced backlash.
There have been multiple reports of animal mismanagement in various zoos across the country.
For example, just last month, a zoo was criticized for painting donkeys to look like zebras.
This act was seen as misleading and unfair to both the animals and visitors.
Another zoo in Jiangsu Province painted dogs to resemble tiger cubs. This deception was also quickly discovered, leading to outrage among the public.
These incidents emphasize a troubling trend in some Chinese zoos, where the focus seems to be more on attracting visitors than on the well-being of the animals.