Panda Dogs: Chinese zoo dyeing dogs To Look like Pandas The Unusual Exhibition at Taizhou Zoo
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In a curious twist of creativity, the Taizhou Zoo in China’s Jiangsu Province recently unveiled an exhibition featuring two “panda dogs.” These adorable creatures, with their black-and-white fur patterns, are meant to evoke the iconic giant pandas that are endemic to China. However, there’s more to this story than meets the eye.
The Exhibit
- Opening Date: May 1, 2024
- Location: Taizhou Zoo, Jiangsu Province
The Controversy
Visitors paying a visit to the “panda dog” exhibit were in for a surprise. While the animals indeed resembled pandas, their wagging tails gave them away. These “panda dogs” were not a new panda subspecies but rather a cleverly dyed version of Chow Chows, a fluffy dog breed originally from northern China.
The Deception
- Dyeing Process: The zoo had taken ordinary Chow Chows and transformed them into panda look-alikes by dyeing their fur black and white.
Zoo Officials’ Defense
- The zoo officials defended their exhibit, emphasizing that they had clearly advertised the dogs as “panda dogs” and had not made any false claims.
- They likened the dyeing process to humans dyeing their hair, stating, “Dogs can dye their hair, too. It’s the same as hair.”
Public Reaction
- While some visitors found the concept amusing, others expressed concern. One commenter on the social media platform Weibo wrote, “It is not funny at all to dye Chow Chow dogs to attract tourists. Their fragile skin and also naturally thick coats make them susceptible to skin diseases.”
- This isn’t the first time “panda dogs” have sparked discussion in China. In 2019, a dog cafe in Sichuan raised animal rights concerns with its dyed Chow Chows. Similarly, in 2020, a viral video revealed a “panda” being walked by a woman. It turned out to be a dyed Chow Chow.
While the “panda dogs” continue to attract curious visitors. The debate over their treatment and the ethics of such practices remains ongoing. Perhaps this unusual exhibit will prompt further discussions about our fascination with panda-like animals and the lengths we go to create them. Even if it means transforming ordinary dogs into faux pandas.
