Chinese zoo claims emaciated lion and tiger not neglected, just genetically defective?

Chinese zoo claims emaciated lion and tiger not neglected, just genetically defective?

Saturday 24 Oct 2015 8:49

Photos of a gaunt lion and tiger at Beijing Zoo were uploaded on Weibo and immediately caused fury on social media (Photo: Beijing Times) A zoo in China was forced to deny mistreating its animals after photos showing an emaciated looking lion and tiger sent the internet into an uproar this week. The shocking images were apparently taken in Beijing Zoo and show both of the big cats with their backs badly hunched and protruding ribs. The photos were uploaded on Weibo and instantly went viral on social media, with many expressing concern about the animals’ health and asking whether they were being neglected. When local reporters went to investigate, they found that they could not find the animals in question. TOP ARTICLES 3/5 READ MORE Great-gran, 108, who survived two wars becomes ‘UK’s oldest’ coronavirus victim Representatives from Beijing Zoo however, claimed, that the lion was not being starved but that his appearance was due to a genetic defect. ‘The lion already had a roach back, protruding bones in its hindquarters and looked skinny when it was admitted to the zoo,’ an official told the Beijing Times. They also claimed the tiger in the photo was the result of inbreeding among a small group of white Bengal tigers and that it was normal for its size. Last year photos taken of an extremely thin tiger in a zoo in Tianjin, northeastern China, led to thousands demanding the zoo take better care of the animal. Officials at Tianjin Zoo claimed that the tiger photographed was suffering from a digestion disorder and was not being being deprived of food (Picture: Weibo) The same zoo was slammed by animal activists for showing its elephants performing handstands and ‘martial arts’ stunts. Beijing Zoo sees approximately 6 million visitors each year. It was revealed in 2010 that the zoo’s restaurant menu featured the webbed toes of a hippopotamus and dishes made with kangaroo tail, crocodile, peacock, ant soup and a deer’s penis.