Chinese Zoo Streams Footage Pretending Deceased Tiger Cub Is Alive, Collects Donations

Soliciting Donations with Footage of a Deceased Tiger Cub
Zookeeper Explains: "To Spare Viewers' Sadness"

Controversy is mounting after it was revealed that a private zoo in Puyang City, Henan Province, China, had been streaming previously recorded footage of a deceased Siberian tiger cub as if it were live, and collecting online donations. Authorities, upon confirming the issue, immediately suspended the zoo's operations and took administrative action against those responsible.

A private zoo in Puyang City, Henan Province, China, streamed past footage of a deceased Siberian tiger cub as if it were live, soliciting online donations (photo provided for article understanding and is unrelated to the article content).

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the zoo's zookeeper, Zhang Lina, continued to livestream the popular tiger cub "Nuan Nuan" as if it were still alive, soliciting donations from viewers. Although Nuan Nuan had already died from distemper, a feline infectious disease, the zoo did not disclose this fact and instead repeatedly broadcasted old footage or substituted other tigers in the video.

The zoo charged an entrance fee of 20 yuan for adults and 10 yuan for children, but its main revenue came from online donations. The zookeeper's account had around 2.7 million followers, and during livestreams, viewers were told that a donation of 25 yuan would buy a chicken to feed the tiger. The zookeeper explained that it cost about 200 yuan per day to care for each tiger, and only requested donations as needed.

As the controversy grew, the zookeeper explained, "The reason we did not announce Nuan Nuan's death was not to deceive viewers, but to lessen their sadness." She also claimed that, at the zoo director's suggestion, another tiger cub was given the same name. She added that major donors had been informed of the death in advance and had given their consent. However, she apologized for hiding certain facts.

According to the authorities' investigation, the zoo admitted that the fundraising conducted via livestreams did not reflect the actual status of the tiger. As a result, the zoo was ordered to cease operations and to participate in management and rectification programs. The zoo has announced that, going forward, it will transparently disclose the treatment process and the use of donations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.