A zoo in north-eastern China has come under heavy criticism after a video showing two extremely skinny and poorly-looking camels emerged online.
Dalian Forest Zoo, located in Dalian, Liaoning Province, has been accused of underfeeding and abusing its animals ever since the video was first posted on the Chinese microblogging website Weibo.
The clip, filmed by an unnamed visitor, shows two emaciated camels greeting a group of zoo goers standing by their tall cage.
Both animals appear to have had some of their coat completely fall off, with only large clumps of matted fur remaining.
Their humps are barely visible under the clumps of unshed hair.
The one standing on the left appears so skinny that the bones on its back have begun showing.
Many social media users blamed the zoo for the animals’ poor state.
One user named ‘Li Chunli’ said in a comment: “It’s too awful! If you can’t afford to feed them put them back into nature! Even animals that eat grass should still be fed so as to not get skinny! This zoo has too many problems!”
Another user titled ‘Reeds’ wrote: “It’s so pitiful, even their humps appear to have collapsed.”
And ‘User 5997398’ said: “Too cruel, the zoo should be severely punished.”
Following the criticism, zoo staff claimed they have called vets to treat the animals, but so far they have found no signs of illness.
They claimed the camels were properly fed and did not know why they appear so thin.
They added they are running more medical check-ups and are further keeping an eye on their condition.
