Gaunt lion and tiger at Beijing Zoo not neglected, just inbred, says official

The Beijing Zoo said its animals were in normal condition after photos posted online showing an emaciated lion and tiger drew public attention, the Beijing Times reported.

The photos, posted by a visitor to the zoo on social media on Monday, showed a skeletal, hunched back lion with dull, patchy fur and a white tiger in similar condition.

Many internet users expressed concern about the animals’ health.

The zoo said the lion was bony due to a genetic defect, but its appetite and level of activity were normal.

“The lion already had a roach back, protruding bones in its hindquarters and looked skinny when it was admitted to the Zoo,” a zoo official told the Times.

He said most lions in zoos nowadays were the results of inbreeding and tended to have genetic defects. The zoo had tried to help the lion gain weight, but to no avail, he added.