Chinese zoo accused of painting donkeys black and white to look like zebras: ‘Stripes look a mess’

NY Post ^ | 02/15/2025 | Jacki Thrapp

[BenLurkin]

A Chinese zoo allegedly admitted to painting donkeys black and white to pass off as zebras in an attempt to drive up park attendance.

The Zibo City amusement park in Shandong province came under fire when internet users noticed the donkeys were disguised as zebras in early February, according to China’s state-run Global Times.

Online users blasted the zoo for its “misleading and unethical” treatment of the animals for the sake of bringing in park visitors,” according to Metro.

“It’s unfair to the animals and the visitors,” a critic said on Chinese social media app Douyin, the outlet reported.

Some assumed that employees used duck tape on the farm animals while others suspected it was dye.

The zoo confirmed that dye was used on the creatures but insisted it was not toxic.

[coloradan]

“Made in China”! (Is that racist?)

[BobL]

More likely the donkeys were working undercover.

[SaveFerris]

Looks totally legit to me

[dfwgator]

George Jefferson : Yeah, where’s the other half of the zebra?
Helen Willis : Right behind me.
George Jefferson : That’s exactly where his half belongs!

[HYPOCRACY]

All the lame same way striped zebras will be jealous of the new mod zebra look. That cat has got it goin on!

[ansel12]

Egypt was caught doing it in 2018 and China was caught painting dogs to look like Pandas last year.

[verum ago]

Ah yes the rare east-Asian Refereebra.

[fidelis]

I’d be surprised if even the dumbest visitor to the zoo was fooled by this.

[DesertRhino]

In high school football, the coach called this a “hustling error”.

At least they were trying!

[Lazamataz]

It’s getting so you can’t trust China.

[BigEdLB]

Those are laces donkey

[Kudsman]

Lmao. Yeah cuz that just snuck up on us.

[cockroach_magoo]

The dumbest visitor to the zoo was the guy who painted this donkey.

[Telepathic Intruder]

Wait til you see their lion exhibit.

[Billthedrill]

Yeah, duct-taping that vacuum cleaner hose to the horse’s nose didn’t turn it into an elephant either, but it fooled me.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

In Tijuana they call them "zonkeys."

[BatGuano]

On a Safari, in South Africa, the guide told us how to tell the female from the male Zebra. “The Females have white coats with black stripes. The Males have black coats with white stripes.”
This was good information for later observations.

[Deaf Smith]

High school in the 70’s, our school showed at the Ft Worth Fat Stock Show.

I was entering a burrow Duroc pig. Ag teacher asked “Where is your furniture polish?”

What?

Furniture polish for Durocs, baby powder for Chester Whites and baby powder & black shoe polish for Hamshires.

Hog barn was a no smoking area.

[DoodleBob]

The zoo confirmed that dye was used on the creatures but insisted it was not toxic.

Oh yea. Sure.

The government warned consumers on Friday to avoid using toothpaste made in China because it may contain a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze.