A Taiyuan restaurantin the Chinese province of Shanxi, attracted attention – and anger – of the web after having inserted an offer to say the least chilling in its menu: pampering with lion puppies. The initiative, reserved for those who book an expensive afternoon tea set, promised interactions with various animalsincluding even the baby lions, renamed as real exotic “mascot”.
On Chinese social media they immediately circulated photos and videos of customers intent on caressing the lioncini, keep them in the arms and even take selfies posing. The puppies, often called affectionately “Simba”, appeared as undisputed protagonists of the offer. However, alongside the enthusiasm of some influencers, the public reaction was mostly negativewith accusations of exploitation and concerns for the safety of both animals and people involved.
The defense of the restaurant and the investigation
The place defended himself by declaring that The animals were followed by qualified personnel And that the activity was comparable to that of a zoo. But the authorities do not seem convinced. The local forest department confirmed that, despite being the restaurant in possession of a license to hold African lions ,. An official investigation was then started to check for any violations.
It is not the first episode
This episode is added to a long list of Scandals related to tourism of exotic animals in China and Asia. From Thailand, where coffee with lions were closed due to irregularities, up to Chinese hotels that allowed “alarm clocks” with Panda Rossi in bed, the pressure is growing for regulate the use of commercial wild animals.
Experts also underline the health risk linked to close contact with exotic specieshighlighting the potential for the spread of zonotic diseases. The case of Wanhui Restaurant therefore reports attention to a phenomenon which, behind the “instagrammable” facade, raises the ethical and health issues serious.
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