Zoo in China Admits 'Pandas' Are Painted Dogs, but Says They're Still a Top Attraction
Beijing Zoo officials have revealed that the three animals it has been exhibiting as pandas are actually painted dogs, a species native to Africa.
Despite the revelation, the zoo claims that the painted dogs are still a top attraction for visitors and that they will continue to be displayed as pandas.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the zoo said that the dogs had been painted to resemble pandas in order to attract more visitors.
The zoo's director, Zhang Xinsheng, said the painted dogs were "very popular" with visitors.
"They are very cute and playful, and they look just like pandas," Zhang said.
However, some visitors have expressed disappointment after learning that the animals were not actually pandas.
"I'm a bit disappointed," said one visitor, who asked not to be named.
"I came here to see pandas, but now I find out they're just dogs.
The zoo's decision to paint the dogs has been met with criticism from some animal rights activists.
Li Xiaoyuan, a spokesperson for the Beijing Animal Welfare Association, said the zoo's actions were "cruel and unethical".
"These dogs are being exploited for the amusement of humans," Li said.
"It's wrong to paint them like pandas and pretend they are something they're not.
The zoo has defended its decision, saying that the dogs are well-cared for and that they are not being harmed by the paint.
Zhang said the dogs were only painted once a week and that the paint was made from natural ingredients.
"The paint is harmless to the dogs," Zhang said.
"It's just a way to make them look more attractive to visitors."
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