A zoo in Zibo City, Shandong province, China, has come under intense scrutiny after it confirmed that donkeys were painted in black and white to resemble zebras.

This revelation was covered by several media outlets, including the _New York Post_, following a backlash from social media users who deemed the animals' altered appearance deceptive.

Images emerged showing a zoo staff member posing next to a painted donkey, which clearly displayed stripes created with dye.

In light of the growing controversy, the zoo explained that the dye utilized was non-toxic.

A staff member stated that the initiative was meant as a playful promotional tactic.

They mentioned that a nearby zoo had previously gained public attention for dressing a dog as a panda, inspiring this effort to mimic that publicity approach.

The incident has triggered calls for stricter oversight regarding animal welfare standards in zoos.

Social media reactions varied, with some users voicing their worries about both the animals and the visitors.

Critiques of the zoo's practices included appeals for improved protocols and expressions of disappointment, with several users specifically condemning the trend among Chinese zoos.

This incident is not unique; a different zoo in Taizhou, Jiangsu province, recently drew attention for dyeing two dogs to look like tigers.

During a live stream on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, the zoo claimed these were formidable and large tigers.

It was later disclosed that the animals were actually Chow Chow dogs painted in black and orange.

After the video of the dyed dogs went viral, the Taizhou zoo acknowledged using the gimmick for attention but insisted there were no health risks associated with the dye used.

Both incidents highlight ongoing debates surrounding animal treatment and marketing strategies in various zoos across China.