A Chinese zoo faced backlash after being caught painting donkeys black and white to pass them off as zebras in another fake animal scandal.
A zoo in China has come under fire for painting donkeys in black and white to make them look like zebras.
This incident took place at the Zibo City amusement park in Shandong province.
The zoo hoped to attract more visitors with this unusual marketing tactic, but it quickly backfired.
Zoo faces backlash for covering donkeys with black and white painting to look like zebras
The painted donkeys were meant to draw in tourists, but the zoo’s plan was spotted almost immediately.
As word spread, many people took to social media to express their outrage. They called the act misleading and unethical.
One user pointed out that it was unfair to both the animals and the visitors who expected to see real zebras.
Zoo staff defended their actions, claiming that the paint used was non-toxic and safe for the animals.
They insisted that the donkeys were not harmed during the painting process.
However, many animal rights activists disagreed. They argued that such practices could lead to stress and health problems for the animals involved.
Repeated animal painting raises ethical concerns.
This is not the first time a Chinese zoo has been criticized for misleading practices.
Last year, a different zoo in Taizhou painted dogs to resemble pandas. The zoo thought it would be a fun way to attract crowds.
However, many visitors were disappointed when they realized the “pandas” were actually just dyed dogs.
Some even demanded refunds after seeing the animals barking and acting like dogs. Another incident involved dogs painted to look like tigers.
These repeated offenses have sparked a broader discussion about the ethics of altering animals’ appearances for entertainment.
Many people are now calling for stricter regulations to prevent such practices from happening in the future.
The public response to the painted donkeys has been strong.
Many people have criticized the zoo for treating animals poorly.
Online comments have focused on the ethical implications of using animals as marketing tools. Some users questioned how the zoo could think this was acceptable.
Animal rights activists argue that animals should be treated with respect and care.
They believe that zoos should not engage in practices that could harm or distress animals.
Instead, they should focus on educating the public about the animals and their natural behaviors.
One user said: I’ve seen one of their zoos in Beijing, these poor animals are kept in cages with nothing, no habitats just filthy cages. It was disgusting and I’ll never forget it.
The second user wrote: Incase anyone was wondering about the quality of Chinese made products, please refer to this attempt at a zebra.
No wonder the manufacturers in that country steal patents.
The third user commented: Horrible thing to do to a animal, what is Wong with them
Another user said: Democrats would do this if they could get elected. And they’d say you’re a racist if you challenged the paint job. Without a doubt.
Someone added: The worse thing is being a citizen in China. The second is, being unlucky enough to be an animal that lives there.
The zoo’s justification
Despite the backlash, the zoo staff continued to defend their marketing strategy.
They argued that the painted donkeys were a creative way to attract attention.
They believed that the unusual sight would encourage people to visit the zoo.
However, the negative reactions have raised questions about the effectiveness of such tactics.