Ingenious way Chinese zoo tricked visitors into thinking it had pandas

9 May 2024, 12:41 | Updated: 9 May 2024, 16:04

The zoo in Tiangzhou has been mocked over its exhibit
The zoo in Taizhou has been mocked over its exhibit. Picture: Weibo

By Flaminia Luck

A zoo in China has been accused of painting dogs black and white to fool visitors into thinking they are pandas.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Taizhou Zoo opened its latest attraction last week, which supposedly featured pandas.

However, visitors quickly realised all was not as it seems at the exhibit and the 'pandas' were in fact chow chows who'd got a dye job from zookeepers.

A zoo spokesperson has defended the exhibition saying "people also die their hair".

Read more: Boeing plane skids off runway and bursts into flames in Senegal, injuring 11 passengers as people scramble to break free

Clips taken by visitors appeared to show the chow chows - known for their distinctive thick, fluffy fur - with black ears, limbs, and dark circles around their eyes.

Tens of thousands of people visited the "panda dogs" every day from May 1 to May 5, Chinese media Jiupai News reported.

Visitors were also charged 20 yuan (£2.22) to see the new exhibit according to local news outlets.

Read More: 'This is undoubtedly a human being': Chinese zoo furiously denies bear is secretly a human in costume

Taizhou Zoo later admitted that the "fake pandas" were in fact dyed chow chow puppies.

However, despite the the confusing name, the zoo didn not seem to be trying to mislead guests into thinking the dogs were real pandas.

A signboard was put up at the exhibit with pictures of the dogs indicating the name is typically used to describe dogs that, either naturally or by grooming, can resemble pandas.

The Chinese zoo insisted the bear was, in fact, a bear
Hangzhou Zoo insisted the bear was, in fact, a bear. Picture: Social media

It's not the first time a Chinese zoo has been accused of faking animals.

In 2023, Hangzhou Zoo denied claims some of its bears were people in costumes after visitors were left confused by the 'human-like' resemblance of a Malaysian sun bear

In the same year, a clip of the bear - named Angela - walking on its hind legs sparked internet speculation that the animal was an employee in a bear suit.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The body of 23-year-old Martine Vik Magnussen was discovered in a basement in Great Portland Street, London, in 2008

On-the-run suspect urged to hand himself in 17 years on from murder and rape of student found dead in basement

Pint of Guinness in front of different ale and beer pumps, The Merchant's Arch Bar & Restaurant, Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland

Guinness pint prices could soar to more than £6 due to Trump’s tariff war

Vladimir Putin must stop playing games with a ceasefire and come to the table, Sir Keir Starmer said, as he convenes world leaders to discuss peacekeeping in Ukraine

Starmer to host Ukraine peace summit - as he warns Putin to 'stop playing games' with ceasefire and come to table

Donald Trump speaks at the Justice Department

Trump insists peace talks with Russia are going 'really well' despite Putin being accused of 'delaying tactics'

The MV Stena Immaculate tanker after it was hit by the MV Solong container vessel in the North Sea

Captain of container ship Solong which crashed into US oil tanker charged with gross negligence manslaughter

Faiz Shah, 23, Mohammad Comrie, 23, and Elijah Ogunnubi-Sime

Three men jailed after Jewish-Israeli music producer lured to house, beaten and handcuffed to radiator in extortion plot

ITV Palooza 2022 – VIP Access

Working-class people are being 'left behind' in TV roles, claims presenter Lorraine Kelly

Mark Carney

'It's crazy': Mark Carney says Canada will 'never be 51st US state', as he is sworn in as PM after Trump threats

Mohamed Amersi hopes Reform UK and the Conservatives will merge into one party

Tory party donor calls for Reform UK and Conservatives to merge

David Hasselhoff's daughter Hayley (right) was heard screaming and crying outside her mother's home

David Hasselhoff's daughter Hayley breaks silence after mother Pamela Bach found dead aged 61

Vladimir Putin has been accused of "delaying" tactics

Putin accused of 'delaying tactics' over Ukraine truce deal, as Zelenskyy says Russia is 'sabotaging diplomacy'

Danny Jones

Danny Jones breaks silence over 'drunken kiss' with Maura Higgins

Brandon Williams

Former Manchester United star caught driving at almost 100mph with balloon in his mouth

Jockey Mark Walsh celebrates on Inothewayurthinkin after winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup

Inothewayurthinkin denies Galopin Des Champs a third Cheltenham Gold Cup

Rory McIlroy refuses to comment on fan who heckled him at Players Championship

Rory McIlroy responds over angry altercation that saw him take a fan's phone after being heckled

At least half of the Cabinet has called on the Chancellor to walk back planned reforms

Reeves insists ‘broken’ benefits system must be reformed despite fears of Cabinet revolt