[Explanation] A few days ago, a video of "Liuzhou Zoo lions are hungry and skinny" attracted attention on the short video platform. Many netizens questioned the poor management of the zoo.
On February 19, Liuzhou Zoo in Guangxi responded that it was due to the aging of the African lions, and they were usually fed enough.
[Concurrent] Wei Liqin, a technician from Liuzhou Zoo
Our current male lion is slightly thinner, and it is now 20 years old, which is equivalent to 80 years old for humans.
Animals are the same as humans. When they get older, their various functional organs (in the body) will weaken.
Its current intestinal digestion is also not good, and its food intake has dropped a little compared to before, and then its body began to lose weight slowly.
[Explanation] According to this video, the skin of an African lion's limbs has loosened and wrinkled, and it is accompanied by words such as "a starving and skinny lion inside the glass wall". Many netizens left messages questioning Liuzhou Zoo's deduction of lion rations.
[Explanation] On the morning of the 19th, when the reporter came to the zoo, he saw that the breeder was cutting beef and chicken to prepare meals for African lions.
According to Zeng Risheng, a staff member in charge of raising wild animals at Liuzhou Zoo, there are currently two African lions in the park, and the thinner one in the photos taken by netizens is only a male African lion.
[Same period] Zeng Risheng, a breeder in the beast area of Liuzhou Zoo
The male lion does less exercise than before. After all, his physical function has deteriorated. He used to be very active walking around, but now he is not so active. He likes to sleep, (but) his energy is still good now, nothing special question.
[Explanation] In order to improve the situation of African lions, the veterinarians of Liuzhou Zoo formulated a conditioning plan.
Breeders cut the original large pieces of meat into small pieces for feeding, and add deworming and gastrointestinal conditioning drugs.
[Same period] Zeng Risheng, a breeder in the beast area of Liuzhou Zoo
The food intake of the male lion is 10 catties per day, because it is old, its stomach is not good, and its teeth are not good, (so) it is fed more lean meat, and no bones are fed.
Now, we feed two meals a day, and each meal includes chicken, pork, and beef.
[Explanation] Over the past 20 years, African lions have become part of the childhood memories of many Liuzhou people.
In this regard, Liuzhou Zoo feels a heavy responsibility.
The nutritionist of the park scientifically and rationally matched the diet according to the lion's physical condition and seasonal changes, hoping that it can enjoy a peaceful life in its later years.
Lin Xinwei reports from Liuzhou, Guangxi
Responsible editor: [Luo Pan]