A restaurant in Taiyuan, China, has come under fire for offering a $150 four-course tea experience that allows customers to hug lion cubs. The Wanhui eatery, located in Shanxi province, has been selling approximately 20 tickets daily for patrons seeking close interactions with the young lions. Photos and videos circulating on Chinese social media platforms have sparked criticism from animal welfare organizations and concerned internet users. Despite the restaurant’s assurance of careful supervision by trained staff, online reactions have been predominantly negative. Critics argue that separating lion cubs from their mothers for such entertainment purposes poses risks to both animals and humans. Wanhui also features other animals like llamas, turtles, and deer, but it is the lion cub cuddling that has garnered the most scrutiny. (Newser)
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