Chinese Restaurant Criticized for Offering Lion Cub Cuddles to Diners

A restaurant in Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi province in northern China, has sparked widespread criticism for including lion cub cuddles as part of its dining experience. The establishment, known as Wanhui, has been accused by animal welfare advocates of exploiting wild animals for profit and compromising both animal welfare and public safety. The restaurant features a four-course afternoon menu priced at 1,192 yuan (approximately $166 or £124), which includes the opportunity for diners to interact with various animals, such as deer and alligators, alongside the lion cubs that have garnered significant attention.

According to a screenshot circulating on social media, while the menu prominently lists other animals, it does not explicitly mention the lion cubs. However, customer reviews and images depict patrons cuddling the cubs, with one visitor sharing a photo that shows her holding a cub’s paw and describing the experience as delightful and safe. The post exclaimed, 'I can pet a cute little lion in a small shop! There are staff to guide you, so you don’t have to worry about safety issues!'

Despite the enthusiasm from some diners, public sentiment on Chinese social media platforms reflects significant disdain for the practice. A user on Weibo remarked, 'They’re putting profit above consumer safety – it’s way too dangerous.' This backlash prompted the Shanxi forestry and grasslands bureau to initiate an investigation into the restaurant’s practices, as human-animal interactions of this nature are reportedly prohibited under existing regulations.

Peter Li, a China policy expert at Humane Society International, emphasized the ethical and safety concerns surrounding such practices. 'Exploiting wild animals for selfies and marketing gimmicks is not only appallingly bad animal welfare, it’s also potentially risky for customers,' he stated in an interview with Reuters. This incident is not isolated; China has seen a series of animal welfare controversies recently, including incidents where tourists have harmed zoo animals for social media moments and a hotel offering a 'wake-up service' with red pandas that drew public outcry.

Experts have also raised alarms about the potential for zoonotic diseases, such as Covid-19, to spread through close contact between humans and exotic animals. The World Health Organization has previously warned about the risks associated with human interaction with wildlife, stressing the importance of safeguarding both animal health and public safety.

In response to the growing concerns, Wanhui has claimed that the lion cubs are well cared for by specialized staff, although attempts to seek further clarification from the restaurant were unsuccessful, with staff reportedly hanging up during phone calls from media outlets.

As the investigation unfolds, animal welfare advocates continue to call for stricter regulations to prevent the exploitation of wild animals in commercial settings. The implications of such practices extend beyond ethical considerations, as the potential risks to public health and safety cannot be overlooked. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by wildlife in the context of human entertainment and the necessity for comprehensive animal welfare legislation in China and beyond.