Zoo in China Faces Criticism for Painting Donkey to Resemble Zebra

A zoo in Anqiu, Shandong Province, China, has received criticism after visitors discovered that a supposed zebra was actually a donkey painted with black stripes. Footage from the Qingyun Mountain Folk Custom Amusement Park shows the donkey with poorly painted stripes, which visitors quickly identified due to its long ears and resemblance to other donkeys in the enclosure. The zoo staff defended the action, stating they did not claim the animal was a zebra and referred to it as a form of cosplay intended for entertainment. Local reports indicate that similar animal transformations have been attempted in the past to amuse guests. In 2025, another zoo in Shandong admitted to painting donkeys to look like zebras, which was also criticized online. Chinese zoos have previously attracted attention for dyeing dogs to resemble pandas and tigers, with officials often defending these practices as harmless marketing strategies. Animal welfare groups have raised concerns about the potential stress and health risks associated with painting animals. Despite the backlash, the painted donkey has gained popularity on social media, with users commenting on the quality of the disguise.