Visitors at the Shanwei Zoo in China were left stunned when they realized that the 'pandas' on display were painted dogs. The bizarre discovery unfolded when one of the supposed pandas began panting and barking, alerting onlookers that something was not quite right. According to reports, the revelation quickly spread among zoo visitors, leading to confusion and disappointment.
A viral video captured the moment one of the 'pandas'—a chow chow dog—was seen lying exhausted on a rock, panting heavily. Moments later, another 'panda' with a curly tail was spotted strolling through the enclosure. The uncanny resemblance to actual pandas was shattered when it became clear that the animals were not what they seemed.
Initially, Shanwei Zoo attempted to explain the situation by claiming the animals were a breed of “panda dogs,” a unique variety supposedly native to the region. However, the zoo eventually came clean and admitted that they had dyed two chow chows—a dog breed known for its thick fur and native to Northern China—to look like pandas.
Glitch in the Matrix: China zoo forced to admit the truth after one of their “pandas” started panting and barking. The Shanwei zoo admits they painted dogs white and black to make them look like pandas. pic.twitter.com/5SWDlpOSqB
— SynCronus (@syncronus) September 19, 2024
The admission sparked outrage among visitors, many of whom demanded refunds from the zoo for the deceptive display. Social media reactions have been swift, with users expressing both disbelief and humor at the unusual stunt pulled by the zoo authorities.