WEB DESK: A Chinese zoo has come under scrutiny online following complaints from visitors who discovered that the animals showcased in a “panda” exhibit were not bears at all, but rather painted chow chow dogs.
Concerned visitors at the Taizhou Zoo in Jiangsu Province expressed surprise upon realising that the creatures presented as “panda dogs” since May 1 were actually dogs with their fur trimmed and dyed to closely resemble the iconic Chinese bears.
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In response to the criticism, a spokesman for the zoo clarified that the decision to exhibit the dogs was due to the absence of resident pandas. However, he refuted claims that the fur-dying process posed any danger or harm to the canines.
An employee of the zoo conveyed to state-run media outlet The Global Times that the intention behind the “panda dogs” display was not to deceive visitors. The enclosure is accompanied by signage explaining that the animals are, in fact, chow chows cleverly disguised.
