Stop This Cruel Scam — End Painted Animal Deception Now
623 signatures toward our 30,000 Goal
Sponsor: The Animal Rescue Site
Zoos in China are painting animals to fool visitors for profit—this cruel deception must stop now.
Animals deserve respect, not deception. A zoo in China has been caught painting donkeys to look like zebras, tricking visitors and disregarding the well-being of the animals in its care1. This is not an isolated case—zoos in China and other countries have repeatedly disguised animals for entertainment2. This must stop.
A Pattern of Animal Deception
At Zibo City amusement park in Shandong province, visitors noticed something strange about the “zebras.” The animals had the unmistakable shape of donkeys, their fur coated in thick black-and-white stripes3. When confronted, the zoo admitted the deception but dismissed it as a harmless marketing tactic4.
This is not the first time a zoo has tricked the public. In 2024, another Chinese zoo painted Chow Chow dogs to look like pandas3. In 2018, a zoo in Egypt was exposed for disguising donkeys as zebras2. These acts are not just misleading—they exploit animals and normalize unethical treatment.
Why This Matters
Zoos should protect animals, not use them as props. Painting animals exposes them to stress, potential allergic reactions, and behavioral disruptions4. Donkeys, like all animals, rely on their natural coats for communication and environmental adaptation. Altering them for entertainment disregards their welfare.
Beyond the animals, visitors are being deceived. Families visit zoos expecting to learn about wildlife, not to be misled by painted disguises. Deception like this erodes public trust in zoological institutions and undermines real conservation efforts2.
Take Action Now
We cannot allow zoos to continue exploiting animals for spectacle. The Zibo City amusement park and other zoos engaged in these practices must be held accountable. Stronger regulations must be enforced to stop animal disguises and ensure ethical treatment.
Sign the petition now to call for an end to the painting of animals in zoos. Call on the Zibo City amusement park, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) to take action. Animal welfare should not be sacrificed for cheap tricks.
- Abhinav Singh, NDTV (15 February 2025), "Chinese Zoo Admits To Painting Donkeys Black And White To Resemble Zebras."
- Jessica Tucker, The Travel, (16 February 2025), "Zoo Under Fire Amid Accusations Of Painting Donkeys To Pass As Zebras."
- Brenton Blanchet, People (15 February 2025), "Zoo Accused of Painting Donkeys Black and White to Look Like Zebras."
- Sayan Bose, The Sun (14 February 2025), "China Zoo Slammed for Painting Donkeys Black and White to LookLike Zebras."
The Petition:
To the owners of Zibo City Amusement Park, Shandong Province, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), People’s Republic of China, and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA), People’s Republic of China,
We, the undersigned, respectfully call on you to take immediate action to ban the practice of painting animals in zoos and wildlife parks for entertainment or deceptive marketing. The recent revelation that donkeys were painted to resemble zebras at Zibo City amusement park has sparked widespread public concern. This practice misleads visitors, disregards animal welfare, and diminishes the credibility of zoological institutions.
Zoos should be centers of education, conservation, and ethical treatment of animals. Painting animals for cosmetic purposes exposes them to stress, potential health risks, and unnecessary human interference. Ethical standards should reflect compassion, respect, and scientific integrity in the treatment of captive animals. The use of artificial dyes for entertainment undermines public trust in responsible wildlife management.
We urge the following steps to ensure that no animal in China’s zoos is subjected to this practice:
- Immediate Ban on Painting or Artificially Altering Animals – Prohibit the use of non-essential dyes, paints, or coatings on animals in captivity.
- Stronger Oversight and Enforcement – Implement regular inspections to ensure that zoos follow ethical guidelines.
- Transparent Consumer Practices – Ensure zoos truthfully represent their exhibits and do not mislead visitors with disguised animals.
- Public Education on Animal Welfare – Promote awareness of why ethical treatment of animals is essential for conservation and education.
China has a rich natural heritage and a growing global role in wildlife conservation. By ending the practice of altering animals for entertainment, the nation can set a higher standard for animal welfare. Respect for animals is respect for the people who visit zoos to learn, not to be deceived.
We believe that compassionate and ethical treatment of animals leads to a more just and responsible society. These actions will strengthen China’s leadership in conservation and ensure a future where zoos serve as true sanctuaries of knowledge, not places of exploitation.
We look forward to your leadership in ensuring a better, more humane future for all.
Sincerely,
