Lion parade sparks debate at Anhui zoo

A wildlife zoo in Anhui province is preparing a lion parade for the upcoming New Year holiday, featuring two lions seated in a palanquin carried by staff members around the zoo, sparking online discussion.

A video shot at the Wildlife Zoo of Southern Anhui in Jingxian county, Anhui, captured widespread attention on Sunday. The footage shows an open palanquin with two young lions dressed in festive red attire being carried around by zoo staff members dressed as mythical creatures often seen in films and TV series. The lions, lounging on the palanquin, curiously observed their surroundings. The parade also included staff members leading other animals, such as water buffalo and horses.

According to a staff member, the zoo has been rehearsing for the lion parade scheduled for the upcoming three-day New Year holiday. The lions are 6-month-old twins hand-raised by their keepers. They are quite timid and not fond of walking around. Following visitors' suggestions, the zoo designed the parade to showcase the lions in front of tourists, hoping it will encourage them to be more active, Anhui-based media Dawan News reported.

"To ensure safety, the lions in the palanquin have leashes secured to the poles, and three safety personnel are positioned nearby to prevent direct contact with visitors," the staff member said.

The parade has drawn mixed reactions online. Some netizens believe the event will attract visitors and generate revenue for the zoo, saying that "the zoo management is getting creative."

However, others disapprove of such animal performances. A Weibo account identified as TA Foundation, an animal protection foundation based in Beijing, opposed such animal performances, arguing against the commodification and entertainment use of wildlife. "Zoos should be genuinely committed to species conservation rather than turning animals into entertainment props," it commented.