Outrage in China after visitors pluck tiger's fur at zoo... and warnings of legal consequences

A video clip that went viral in China has sparked widespread controversy. The video shows visitors at a zoo in Liaoning province in northeastern China cutting the hair of a sleeping tiger, behavior described by activists as "harmful and irresponsible."

According to the footage captured on June 8 inside an area designated for viewing tigers, the animal was lying under a steel tunnel that visitors were walking on. In the video, a woman can be heard encouraging others to pull more of the tiger's hair, claiming it "brings luck and wards off evil spirits," a belief rooted in some Chinese folk customs.

Some visitors did not hesitate to participate, with one tying a strand of hair to their bag, while another took a souvenir photo with the "loot," considering it the "best souvenir - and free."

Park employees told local media that they had repeatedly tried to prevent visitors from touching the animals, but to no avail, pointing out that these actions represent a blatant violation of safety guidelines and could cause psychological or physical harm to the animals.

A guard warned that provoking or touching the animals could provoke aggressive reactions, endangering visitors and staff.

Legally, Chu Wei, a law professor at the China University of Political Science and Law, explained that visitors' actions could subject them to civil penalties under local laws, ranging from fines to detention, as their behavior falls under "animal cruelty."

The video, which has garnered over 700,000 views, has triggered a wave of condemnation on social media platforms, with internet users criticizing the visitors' behavior as "environmental ignorance and selfishness," calling for stricter penalties and increased animal protection measures.

One commentator wrote: "Animals should receive the same protection as visitors. It is the duty of the zoo to ensure their safety."