Restaurant Faces Backlash for Lion Cub Dining Experience
Animal Welfare Groups Denounce “Exploitation” in China
A restaurant in China’s Shanxi province is under fire from animal welfare organizations and online critics for allowing diners to hold lion cubs during a four-course meal. The establishment maintains the young lions are well-cared for.
Controversial Cradle-a-Cub Concept
Customers at Wanhui restaurant in Taiyuan city have shared images and videos on Chinese social media platforms, showcasing themselves cradling lion cubs. The unique dining experience, which opened in June, reportedly sells around 20 tickets daily, with patrons paying 1,078 yuan ($150) for the opportunity.
Wanhui has confirmed the presence of lion cubs at the venue, asserting they receive specialized care. However, this direct physical interaction with wild animals in a dining setting is highly unusual, contrasting with experiences offered at some international zoos which focus on viewing wildlife from a distance.
Online Outcry and Ethical Concerns
Public reaction online has been overwhelmingly negative, with many deeming the venture dangerous and detrimental to the animals’ well-being.
“This is for the rich to play,”
—A Weibo user
Another commenter urged official intervention, stating, “The relevant departments should take care of it.”
Animal welfare advocates expressed strong disapproval.
“Tearing lion cubs from their mothers so diners can handle them over afternoon tea is exploitation, not entertainment. These animals are living, feeling beings, not toys,”
—Jason Baker, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Senior Vice President
Jason Baker added that the animals were seemingly “treated like nothing more than social media props.”
“Exploiting wild animals for selfies and marketing gimmicks is not only appallingly bad animal welfare, it’s also potentially risky for customers. Even a young lion is capable of lashing out and injuring a human. So, treating wild animals like props is both morally unacceptable and dangerously irresponsible.”
This controversy follows a recent incident where Chinese authorities investigated a hotel for a “wake-up service” involving red pandas, highlighting a growing scrutiny of unusual animal interactions. In that case, the hotel in Chongqing reportedly allowed the animals to climb onto beds to rouse guests, an incident that went viral last month.
Globally, the welfare of animals in entertainment is a growing concern. For instance, in 2023, a report by World Animal Protection highlighted that while animal-friendly tourism is on the rise, over 70% of attractions offering elephant rides still used methods that were harmful to the animals, demonstrating a persistent challenge in ensuring ethical treatment.
More Than Just Big Cats
Beyond the lion cubs, Wanhui restaurant’s social media presence on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, also features other animals like llamas, turtles, and deer, suggesting a broader theme of close encounters with various species.
