Chinese Zoo Replaces Lion With Large Dog To Fool Visitors . . . Then “The Lion” Barks

The Louhe City Zoo in People’s Park advertized a real African lion to pull in visitors. However, when the lion had to be sent off for breeding, the zoo was short an attraction. So, the operators went and got a large Tibetan mastiff and told people it was a lion. They did the same with wolf exhibit where a dog played the role of a white fox. In the leopard exhibit visitors were actually watching a common white fox. It all worked swimmingly well until the lion started to bark.

As we have seen in food contamination and shocking environmental stories, there remains a cultural problem in China with regard to business ethics and honesty. This humorous story is only the latest example of a business engaging in knowing deceptive practices with little apparent concern or guilt over its actions. The zoo was being run by a private businessman.

The zoo was reported after a boy asked his mother why the lion was barking.

Environmental groups have long condemned the cruelty of Chinese zoos and recent stories have surfaced of animals being stoned to death by onlookers. Indeed, despite our delight at the most recent win in the case involving the 18 Beluga whales in Russia, our concern is that the whales will now be bought by China and sent to Chinese aquariums. While the denial of the permit reduces the market for live captured whales, China continues to purchase exotic creatures for display.

Source: NPR