THIS is the horrific video that shows a huge emaciated crocodile at a zoo as it weakly crawls across rocks in front of shocked visitors.
The footage, reportedly filmed at Guangzhou Zoo in China yesterday, has led many to accuse management of animal abuse.
The zoo said that the animal is suffering from gastroenteritis and that is why it is so thin[/caption]
Video shows the shockingly skinny croc looking like it had been starved for weeks, with its spine seen sticking out from its skin.
It can be seen dragging itself to the glass, looking more like an animal skeleton than an animal.
One man, who was not named but who witnessed the crocodile’s condition, described its appearance as “worrying”.
In response to the online criticism, zoo staff quickly came out with a statement saying that the crocodile not malnourished but that it is suffering from gastroenteritis.
The condition is usually caused by a bacteria or a virus and is characterised by vomiting and diarrhoea.
The zoo said this is what led to the croc’s extreme weight loss.
A zoo spokesperson said: “It is currently receiving treatment, and we will ensure more attentive care in the future.”
But that hasn’t stopped people from sharing their reactions on social media.
One account, CNAnimalRightsAlert, shared a distressed message to X, writing: “The crocodile at a zoo in Guangzhou, #China , is so thin that it’s just skin and bones.
“If it didn’t move, you would think it was fake.”
The organisation state in their bio that they are: “Committed to exposing the reality of #animalprotection in China, advocating for anti-animal abuse laws, and speaking up for neglected and abused animals.”
Several things are unclear about the allegedly mistreated croc, such as how long it has been apparently suffering from gastroenteritis.
ZOOS FATTENING UP ANIMALS LIKE MOO DENG
The Sun has previously reported on a zoo that has been over-feeding their animals in a bid to turn them into social media stars like Moo Deng.
The hippo Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, went viral earlier this year after people fell in love with the cute tubby animal.
Panzhihua Park Zoo in China has tried to recreate the attention with bears, peacocks and leopards.
Who is Moo Deng?
Internet sensation Moo Deng is a pygmy hippopotamus at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand.
The tot shot to stardom when her zookeeper Atthapon Nundee posted videos of her online captivating people around the world.
There is even now a 24-hour live stream following the hippo’s life in her enclosure.
Moo Deng, which means “bouncy pork” in Thai, rose to viral fame as she is always bouncing around, slipping, biting the zookeepers’ knees and running around
Fans are now accusing the zoo of intentionally trying to fatten them up to create their own sensation like cute hippo Moo Deng.
Pictures from the menagerie in Sichuan Province show the fat leopard rolling around on its back like a domestic cat and panting in the sun.
The zoo has now given up on its mission and claims the leopard just has “loose skin” and is perfectly healthy.
Liu Maojun, a member of the zoo staff, told Hongxing News they asked experts on how to help the leopard lose weight.
He said: “The conclusion was that it was unnecessary to bother the leopard with weight loss efforts and that it should just enjoy its old age in peace.”
The animals are fat because their enclosures are small and they don’t get any exercise, local media reported.
But the zoo claims the animals are healthy and that all the money earned from ticket prices is spent on feeding animals.
Ticket prices had increased 50 per cent because so many people were turning up – leading to the animals being fed more and more.
