‘Starving’ lion is barely more than skin and bones in Chinese zoo, sparking online anger

Shocking footage has emerged of a ‘starving’ lion barely more than skin and bones in a Chinese zoo.

Many are outraged and disturbed by the sight of the big cat – named Ala – looking so malnourished that he struggles to perform basic functions such as walking.

In the gruesome video, captured at Jinniu Lake Safari Park in Nanjing, China, viewers can see the lion’s ribs because they are so thin.

The footage, shared on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, shows the distressed lion stumbling down the stairs looking like it might topple over at any moment.

The video sparked massive outrage online, with many accusing the zoo of not adequately caring for the captive lion.

A user said: “This is too much suffering. If you can’t afford to feed him, send him to another zoo that can.

‘Why make him suffer? It should have continued to live in nature.’

Meanwhile, another added, “This zoo is too much, starving the lions like this.”

Zoo officials later attributed the lion’s shocking appearance to his advanced age, as he can no longer chew his food.

They claimed the 25-year-old big cat would be 80 if he were human.

Officials confirmed that Ala is fed a special diet of liquid proteins and small pieces of meat, while also being monitored by specially trained veterinarians in a private cage.

The zoo added: “We usually let him out for a walk in the morning or evening.

Despite the worrying images, Jinniu Lake Safari Park is listed on Trip.com as one of the top five family-friendly activities in Nanjing.

It has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5, but there are also hundreds of negative reviews, with some visitors citing the zoo’s “poor management” and others complaining about its huge cost.