Latest news with #lioncubs
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Restaurant Scolded for Offering Cuddle with Lion Cubs on Its Menu
NEED TO KNOW Social media users and local leaders are calling out a restaurant in China for allowing customers to play with lion cubs Wanhui restaurant in Taiyuan city reportedly charges 1,078 yuan ($150) for the experience One official said the animals were "treated like nothing more than social media props'A restaurant in China is facing international criticism after the option to play with live lion cubs was added to its menu. Wanhui restaurant in Taiyuan city, located in the northern Chinese province of Shanxi, became popular after its June opening thanks to an unusual dining experience — a four-course tea where customers can cuddle with lion cubs for 1,078 yuan ($150). They reportedly sell about 20 tickets a day for the experience, according to Reuters. Footage of the unique tea was shared on China's WeChat and Weibo platforms, which are used for instant messaging and blogging. On Wednesday, July 16, a spokesperson for Wanhui restaurant told Reuters that the lions are well taken care of, with a special staff that tends to them. Additionally, the restaurant also offers llamas, turtles and deer for guests on its Douyin page, China's counterpart to the social media app TikTok. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Other exotic animals such as alligators and meerkats are also advertised on Wanhui restaurant's Dazhong Dianping profile, which is a restaurant listings app, The Guardian reported. Both news outlets noted that some zoos do offer dining experiences where customers can eat within eyeshot of animal enclosures, but that the option to play with the cubs has left many locals outraged. 'They're putting profit above consumer safety – it's way too dangerous,' one Weibo user reportedly wrote. Another added, "This is for the rich to play." What's your sign? Subscribe to to get your unique weekly horoscope delivered straight to your inbox. In a statement to Reuters, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Senior Vice President Jason Baker said, "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." Baker added that the animals were "treated like nothing more than social media props." Peter Li, China policy expert for Humane World for Animals, also weighed in on the discussion. "Exploiting wild animals for selfies and marketing gimmicks is not only appallingly bad animal welfare, it's also potentially risky for customers,' Li said. He concluded, "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." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
Lion cuddles offered with afternoon tea at Chinese restaurant
A restaurant in northern China is under investigation after it was found to be offering an expensive afternoon tea service where customers could cuddle and play with lion cubs. On the menu at the Wanhui Tower restaurant in Shanxi province, customers could choose between an assortment of different teas and desserts, as well as a 'mascot interaction' package for £124. The restaurant went viral in China recently as people began posting photos and videos of their interactions with the lions, most of which appear to be cubs. Some posts also said that patrons could play with other animals, including alpacas and deer. The photos and video prompted online criticism from many in China who began asking whether it was legal for the restaurant to breed lions and then allow for them to interact with people with few protections in place. In response, the restaurant said: 'We operate like zoos – why can't lions be used commercially?' According to local media reports, Wanhui Tower had obtained a licence from the Shanxi Provincial Forestry and Grassland Bureau to purchase and breed protected wild animals, including two African lions, but the licence only allowed for the animals to be displayed. Authorities at the forestry bureau have launched a probe into the matter, noting that the close contact between people and animals was prohibited and that the matter was being dealt with urgently. This type of language often suggests the threat of prosecution or fines in China. While cat cafes have become increasingly popular all over the world, big cat cafes like the one in Shanxi are relatively rare – and for good reason, given the safety and welfare concerns for both the people and the animals. Earlier this year, police in Thailand raided a 'lion cafe' in the southern city of Phuket and arrested two Chinese nationals for working in the country illegally. At this cafe, patrons could pay between 500 baht (£12) and 1,000 baht (£23) to take photos with lion cubs. Last month, a hotel near the southern Chinese city of Chongqing was put under investigation after it was discovered to be offering guests a red panda 'wake-up call' service, where the animals were brought into guests' rooms and allowed to climb into their beds. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Malay Mail
16-07-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Wild tea party: Lion cub cuddles on menu at China cafe, public fumes
HONG KONG, July 16 — Teatime revels in China now include hugs with lion cubs in a four-course afternoon set offered by a restaurant in the northern province of Shanxi, drawing widespread attention online and fuelling concern for the animals' welfare. Customers cradled the lion cubs as if they were babies in pictures and video clips posted online on China's Wechat and Weibo platforms. The Wanhui restaurant in Taiyuan city features llamas, turtles and deer in addition to the cubs on its page on Douyin, China's counterpart to social media app TikTok. Wanhui, which opened in June, sells about 20 tickets a day to customers looking to snuggle with the animals as part of a set menu costing 1,078 yuan (RM640), the state-run Shanghai Daily said on its official Wechat page. 'The service has raised serious concerns about legality and animal welfare,' the English-language newspaper added. Reuters was unable to independently contact Wanhui. Online comments were mostly critical, saying the venture was dangerous and not good for the animals. 'This is for the rich to play,' said one Weibo user. 'Ordinary people even can't afford to drink.' Another user urged action by the authorities, adding, 'The relevant departments should take care of it.' The incident comes just after authorities investigated a hotel in June for offering a 'wake-up service' starring red pandas, state media said. The hotel in the south-western region of Chongqing allowed the animals to climb onto beds to awaken guests. — Reuters
CNN
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Restaurant in China offers lion cub cuddles alongside afternoon tea
Teatime revels in China now include hugs with lion cubs in a four-course afternoon set offered by a restaurant in the northern province of Shanxi, drawing widespread attention online and fueling concern for the animals' welfare. Customers cradled the lion cubs as if they were babies in pictures and video clips posted online on China's Wechat and Weibo platforms. The Wanhui restaurant in Taiyuan city features llamas, turtles and deer in addition to the cubs on its page on Douyin, China's counterpart to social media app TikTok. Wanhui, which opened in June, sells about 20 tickets a day to customers looking to snuggle with the animals as part of a set menu costing 1,078 yuan ($150), the state-run Shanghai Daily said on its official Wechat page. 'The service has raised serious concerns about legality and animal welfare,' the English-language newspaper added. Related video Japan's panda town was booming. Now China wants its pandas back Reuters was unable to independently contact Wanhui. Online comments were mostly critical, saying the venture was dangerous and not good for the animals. 'This is for the rich to play,' said one Weibo user. 'Ordinary people even can't afford to drink.' Another user urged action by the authorities, adding, 'The relevant departments should take care of it.' The incident comes just after authorities investigated a hotel in June for offering a 'wake-up service' starring red pandas, state media said. The hotel in the southwestern region of Chongqing allowed the animals to climb onto beds to awaken guests.
Telegraph
16-07-2025
- Telegraph
Lion cuddles offered with afternoon tea at Chinese restaurant
A restaurant in northern China is under investigation after it was found to be offering an expensive afternoon tea service where customers could cuddle and play with lion cubs. On the menu at the Wanhui Tower restaurant in Shanxi province, customers could choose between an assortment of different teas and desserts, as well as a 'mascot interaction' package for £124. The restaurant went viral in China recently as people began posting photos and videos of their interactions with the lions, most of which appear to be cubs. Some posts also said that patrons could play with other animals, including alpacas and deer. The photos and video prompted online criticism from many in China who began asking whether it was legal for the restaurant to breed lions and then allow for them to interact with people with few protections in place. In response, the restaurant said: 'We operate like zoos – why can't lions be used commercially?' According to local media reports, Wanhui Tower had obtained a licence from the Shanxi Provincial Forestry and Grassland Bureau to purchase and breed protected wild animals, including two African lions, but the licence only allowed for the animals to be displayed. Authorities at the forestry bureau have launched a probe into the matter, noting that the close contact between people and animals was prohibited and that the matter was being dealt with urgently. This type of language often suggests the threat of prosecution or fines in China. While cat cafes have become increasingly popular all over the world, big cat cafes like the one in Shanxi are relatively rare – and for good reason, given the safety and welfare concerns for both the people and the animals. Earlier this year, police in Thailand raided a 'lion cafe' in the southern city of Phuket and arrested two Chinese nationals for working in the country illegally. At this cafe, patrons could pay between 500 baht (£12) and 1,000 baht (£23) to take photos with lion cubs. Last month, a hotel near the southern Chinese city of Chongqing was put under investigation after it was discovered to be offering guests a red panda 'wake-up call' service, where the animals were brought into guests' rooms and allowed to climb into their beds.
