Zoo shocks confuses visitors with inflatable penguins
A Chinese zoo's promise of exotic animals has left customers feeling deflated after discovering organisers were full of hot air.
Hundreds of locals flocked to the grand opening of the zoo in Yulin in the southern province of Guangxi expecting to see an array of wildlife, including the highly-anticipated penguins.
But hundreds were left stunned when discovering the flightless birds were in fact giant, inflatable replicas.
Among other livestock including geese and turtles, the plastic penguins were scattered inside a cramped enclosure while one inflatable took centre stage on an island in the 'penguin pit'.
It was positioned next to a warning sign that read: "Penguins bite, do not touch!"
Guishan Zoo opened its doors to the public on November 25 and charged visitors a fee of 15yuan ($3) but guests were left reeling after being deceived by the organisers after promotional posters included images of peacocks, penguins and ostriches.
Images of the park were quickly shared on Chinese social media with users slamming the zoo's deceptive behaviour, the South China Morning Post reported.
“You would better off going to the street market to see those animals. It is free by the way,” one comment read.
“I find it hilarious but people who actually bought the tickets might be angry,” another said.
The owner of the site said she had leased the space to contractors and that she did not know of their plans for fake animals.
The park has since closed down.
