A Chinese zoo at the People’s Park in Luohe faced a dilemma when its most popular exhibit its African Lion was sent away to a breeding programme. The zoo hit on a novel idea of replacing the lion with a Tibetan mastiff, a large and hairy dog. The plan came unstuck when the “Lion” opened its mouth and instead of a regal roar began barking.

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Other fake animals were uncovered at the zoo including a fake Golden jaguar:

A dog in a wolf pen:

two coypu rodents in a snake’s cage:

Authorities in the park in the city of , where the zoo is located, said the facility had been contracted out to a private zookeeper since 1998.