A brand new major aquarium in China has received massive criticism from visitors for its use of a robotic shark: the Xiaomeisha Ocean World in the Shenzhen metropolis was met with waves of outrage on the internet. The visitors feel cheated.
Previously, visitors to Ocean World in southeastern China discovered that a so-called whale shark in the aquarium was actually a swimming robot. The whale shark was previously advertised as one of the main attractions.
“Are you trying to deceive children?”
On the online review platform Dazhong Dianping, visitors flooded the Ocean World page with negative comments. One of them was “speechless because of the fake whale shark.” Another review said: “Are you trying to trick children?”
The operator advocates species protection
Many social media users criticized them for paying too much money for ‘fake sea creatures’. The entrance fee to Ocean World, which opened on October 1, is about 240 yuan (31 euros) for adults. Local media reported that the operator referred to the ban on the whale shark trade in its response. The Ocean World said it was cruel to keep a real specimen of the marine mammal in captivity. The robot aims to raise awareness for the protection of the species.
Counterfeit products discovered in Chinese zoos have attracted attention in the past. In May, Taizhou Zoo in Jiangsu province came under fire on social media after employees painted chow chow dogs black and white to resemble pandas. Shanwei Zoo in Guangdong province admitted last month to using the same trick.
Source: Krone
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