A delegation of tourists at a zoo in China has attracted widespread condemnation after their hair-pulling act on a slumbering tiger was caught on camera. The video, which swiftly went viral on the internet, elicited mass outrage about animal abuse and cultural insensitivity.
According to the South China Morning Post, the incident occurred at a zoo in Liaoning province in northeast China on June 8. The video widely shared on the internet depicts several tourists sticking their hands through a metal fence to pull hair from the belly and tail of a tiger lying on a steel viewing tunnel — a popular resting place for the big felines.
“Let’s pull more!”: Tourists consider tiger hair as a complimentary souvenir
One woman is heard uttering, “Let’s pull more! Tiger hair keeps evil at bay and guards the house.” A tourist takes a selfie with a clump of tiger hair, saying, “Best souvenir and it is free.” Some are also heard tying locks of fur to their purses.
Their behavior seems to be based on ancient cultural superstitions. In Chinese traditional beliefs, the tiger is the “king of beasts” and represents courage and strength. Historically, it is linked with war gods and warlords, and some believe that the tiger provides spiritual defense. Tiger hair, especially, is considered to be lucky by some, to ward off evil, and to protect travelers.
Zoo officials denounce conduct, refer to animal welfare issues
The officials at the zoo denounced the conduct of the visitors and labeled it as unacceptable. According to a staff member who spoke with Dianshi News, “Touching animals is absolutely forbidden in the zoo. We have been attempting to prevent these tourists, but it has not been successful.
The zoo cautioned that tugging on the tiger’s fur not only distresses the animal but could trigger an aggressive reaction. Although outrage ensued, it is unclear if the people shown on the video will be punished or prosecuted.
Animal rights issues intensify amidst frequent tourist misbehavior
This incident has brought into focus again the way tourists treat animals in Chinese zoos, where poor compliance with rules usually results in distress or injury to captive animals. Social media commentators demanded stronger supervision and stricter sanctions to avert similar incidents in the future.
While tiger superstitions still play a part in some behavior, several online commentators noted that these outdated beliefs should not be allowed at the expense of animal dignity and welfare
