A restaurant in China’s northern Shanxi province has sparked backlash from animal welfare groups and online critics for allowing diners to hug lion cubs during a four-course tea service. The establishment insists the animals are properly cared for.
While some zoos in countries such as Singapore or Australia do offer dining experiences near animal habitats or at wildlife sights, it is rare for a restaurant to have direct physical interactions with wild animals.
Customers of Wanhui restaurant, which opened in June in Taiyuan city, have posted pictures and videos of themselves on China’s WeChat and Weibo platforms cuddling lion cubs.
The restaurant sells roughly 20 tickets a day to those looking to hug the animals as part of the set menu which costs 1,078 yuan ($150).
The restaurant also features lamas, turtles and deer on its page on Douyin, China’s equivalent to social media app TikTok.
The majority of online reactions expressed criticism, saying the restaurant’s concept is dangerous and not good for the animals.
"This is for the rich to play," said one Weibo user.
"The relevant departments should take care of it," said another user.
"Tearing lion cubs from their mothers so diners can handle them over afternoon tea is exploitation, not entertainment. These animals are living, feeling beings, not toys," said People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Senior Vice President Jason Baker.
He also added that the animals were "treated like nothing more than social media props."
Peter Li, China policy expert for Humane World for Animals, said, "Exploiting wild animals for selfies and marketing gimmicks is not only appallingly bad animal welfare, it's also potentially risky for customers."
"Even a young lion is capable of lashing out and injuring a human. So, treating wild animals like props is both morally unacceptable and dangerously irresponsible."
Last month, Chinese authorities investigated a hotel with a similar concept that offered a 'wake-up service' where red pandas were allowed to climb onto guests' beds, State Media reported.
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