Lions were hit with snowballs at China's Hangzhou Zoo, Inquisitr reports Jan. 12. One zoo visitor started the attack and others joined in around the animals' enclosure on January 5. Photos were soon posted on China’s microblogging site called Sina Weibo. Animal lovers and activists around the world commented on the cruelty of the act.
See photos at the bottom of the page here.
In the images, a lion and lioness are seen flinching and huddled together as they were hit with snowballs. Staff at Hangzhou Zoo claim they didn't see anyone throwing snowballs at the lions because they were busy clearing snow elsewhere around the area. It was noted by several critics that the lions had nowhere to escape the madness of harassers. In a report by the Hangzhou Weekly, the attackers were targeting other animals around the zoo once they "exhausted" the snow around the lions' enclosure.
The ill-behavior of one individual choosing to throw snowballs at the animals resulted in others participating. This is what is so disturbing. Luckily the animals weren't harmed being hit with snowballs, but they were being terrorized by mean-spirited people. Will the zoo keep a better eye on how visitors observe their animals from now on?
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