this post was submitted on 09 May 2024
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cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/11618175

Zoo defends ‘panda’ exhibit after criticism for using dogs dyed black and white

On May 1, the zoo drew large crowds of excited animal lovers as it prepared to unveil a new attraction.

When the zoo revealed the animals, visitors were met with the sight of little four-legged creatures, with white faces and black spots around their eyes and ears - not unlike the colorings of a panda.

The only thing is, these creatures weren't pandas. In fact, they were Chow Chows - a dog you might recognize from real life or social media, since they're very much the opposite of a wild animal.

The spitz-type dogs originally come from northern China, and were presented at the zoo because the owners said they didn't have any actual pandas to show visitors.

The owners were accused of trimming and dying the dogs to look like pandas, causing some backlash as locals accused the zoo of animal cruelty.

However, a spokesperson for the zoo hit back at the criticism as they pointed out that 'people also dye their hair'.

all 41 comments
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[–] weew@lemmy.ca 99 points 6 months ago (3 children)

What if they just had an entire zoo where every animal was just a dog with dyed fur

[–] state_electrician@discuss.tchncs.de 45 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (2 children)

I went to such a zoo recently. The only animal they had was a dog. It was a Shih Tzu.

[–] Rai@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 6 months ago

Fuck off, that’s great

[–] ErrantRoleplayer@lemmy.world 3 points 6 months ago

.... angry upvote moment! Made me chuckle.

[–] JowlesMcGee@kbin.social 31 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Honestly, I'd be down for that. I love dogs

[–] unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de 46 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (3 children)

Honestly probably less cruel than keeping pandas in a cage. Dogs are domesticated and kinda used to having their freedom of movement restricted.

[–] Crackhappy@lemmy.world 29 points 6 months ago

And honestly they're fucking adorable like that.

[–] cm0002@lemmy.world 11 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Yea, dishonest sure, but animal cruelty is a bit of a stretch. Especially if they used appropriate animal dye and didn't just grab a couple cans of spray paint from Lowe's or something

[–] Rai@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 6 months ago

It’s a shady zoo in China… I’m pretty confident they didn’t use animal-approved hair dye hahaha

[–] Draegur@lemm.ee 35 points 6 months ago (1 children)
[–] unipadfox@pawb.social 14 points 6 months ago

The irony of this being in China...

[–] RBWells@lemmy.world 20 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I went to the zoo but it sucked, they had only one exhibit and it was of a dog.

It was a shitzu.

[–] HWK_290@lemmy.world 1 points 6 months ago

Lucky! I went and all they had was a piece of shitzhu

[–] ANIMATEK@lemmy.world 19 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I haven't even read the article but I'm pretty sure it's in China.

[–] ripcord@lemmy.world 10 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Not even the 1-sentence summary that said its in China?

[–] stephen01king@lemmy.zip 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Which 1 sentence summary? Am I blind?

[–] ripcord@lemmy.world 1 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

Are you viewing on the Lemmy website directly or an app?

On the website and most apps, it's the short section just under the post title.

[–] stephen01king@lemmy.zip 1 points 6 months ago

I'm using Sync for Lemmy. I'm guessing it's a different summary than the multi sentence summary I can see under the title post. That one doesn't specify this happens in China.

[–] Railing5132@lemmy.world 17 points 6 months ago

Which is a special kind of ironic since China withdrew all their pandas from American zoos due to trade 'wars' (i.e. Tariffs in some goods) including the fantastic program at the San Diego zoo.

[–] Twinklebreeze@lemmy.world 15 points 6 months ago

If they did this on April 1st t would be a hilarious prank.

[–] Thcdenton@lemmy.world 9 points 6 months ago
[–] dumbass@leminal.space 9 points 6 months ago

Look when a Chinese zoo actually has the animals there and not just dyed dogs, then that will be news worthy, like at least twice a year a Chinese zoo gets called out for using dogs instead of the proper animals.