Visitors at the Shanwei Zoo in China were shocked to discover 'pandas' were dogs

Dogs painted to look like the endangered species

The deception was uncovered when pandas started barking like dogs

Visitors at the Shanwei Zoo in China were shocked to discover that the ‘pandas’ they had come to see were actually dogs painted to look like the endangered species. The deception was uncovered when one of the ‘pandas’ started panting and barking, according to a report by the New York Post, citing local media.

Also Read: Gender mix-up unveiled: Japanese zoo discovers male hippo is female after 7 years

A video of the incident quickly went viral, showing one of the dogs lying on a rock, visibly exhausted, while another with a curly tail wandered inside the enclosure. Initially, the zoo claimed the animals were a rare breed of “panda dogs.”

However, after public outcry, Shanwei Zoo admitted the animals were not pandas but two chow chows, a breed native to Northern China, that had been dyed to resemble the black-and-white bears.

Outraged by the revelation, visitors have demanded refunds, accusing the zoo of misleading them. Many expressed disappointment, with some taking to social media to criticize the zoo for unethical behavior.

This incident has sparked significant backlash against the zoo, raising questions about its practices and the lengths some attractions go to in order to draw visitors. As the video continues to circulate online, the zoo is facing mounting pressure to address the controversy and refund disappointed guests.