Most of us are familiar with the callous conditions prevalent in zoos today. Kept in cramped spaces with no privacy, wild animals are left with very few opportunities to explore, or even walk around.
In a heartbreaking video that is making the rounds of the Internet, a captive tiger, appearing to be depressed, walks in circles non-stop inside a tiny enclosure at a Chinese zoo.
Bengal Tiger Walks Around In Circles Non-Stop In Beijing Zoo
The viral footage captures a white Bengal tiger walking endlessly in circles inside its enclosure. The depressed tiger seems to have taken so many rounds that a circular mark can be seen etched on the ground from all the walking.
The video, allegedly from a Beijing zoo, also shows tourists overlooking the enclosure from a walkway above.
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Zoo Authorities Claim The Tiger Has Been Given Psychological Counseling
When confronted, the Zoo authorities claimed that the tiger had been given ‘psychological counseling’ after keepers noticed its strange behavior.
The Beijing Zoo also responded stating that the video was old footage. The wild cat had been taken away from display at the end of March after the zookeepers noticed its behavior.
According to a staff member, “This kind of behavior is expected after animals have stayed in a zoo for a long time.”
The Beijing Zoo also claimed that it has been trying to get the animal back to normal with the help of psychological counseling.
“We have taken the animal to receive behavior training. We also brought more food and toys for the tiger. It’s like psychological counseling,” the staff member added.
Many animal lovers on the Internet have raised concerns over the state of the captive wild cat. One said, “There is not enough room. It’s ill, mentally ill,” while another commented, “The tiger looks depressed.”
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