A video of an orangutan smoking like a human at a zoo in Vietnam has spread, causing controversy.
On the 18th in local time, local media (Vn Express) in Vietnam reported a video of 'smoking orangutan' that has been spreading on social media recently.
It turns out that the video was filmed by a visitor to the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
In the video, the orangutan exhaled cigarette smoke in a posture very similar to a human, and after smoking, even rubbed the cigarette on the floor, surprising the audience.
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Pham Van Tan, director of the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, admits, "It is true that the pictures were taken at the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens." He explained, "The orangutans with high intelligence imitate and learn human behavior as they are."
"Visitors threw lit cigarettes inside the cage while the staff wasn't there, and the orangutan came into contact with the cigarette," he said.
Also, the director of the zoo and botanical garden said, "Even if we put a warning sign in front of us, it is full of garbage because of the visitors who ignore it."
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He said, "The staff cannot check each time, but they are thoroughly checking the cages of the animals since the video went viral. We are considering ways to protect the animals by installing nets and glass in the future, and we plan to install additional surveillance cameras." .
Local netizens criticized some rude visitors, while worrying about the lack of manpower to take care of the animals and the zoo and botanical garden operating as an outdated facility.
Meanwhile, Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens opened in 1864 and ranks in the top 10 oldest zoos in the world, attracting at least 500 visitors on weekends.
(Photo = YouTube 'Bao Tuoi Tre)