When dogs are presented as pandas

Each and every day, some form of news or information seems to pop up that adds to the ever-increasing strangeness of the current state of Planet Earth.

Here’s one that definitely goes in the “you couldn’t make up anything stranger” file.

Apparently, a zoo in China has caused quite a stir with its panda bear display. Of course, simply having a display of the rare animals will grab the attention of many people, but the Taizhou Zoo (in Jiangsu Province near Shanghai) went a step further when it rolled out its panda exhibit on May 1, because there weren’t any pandas involved.

Wait, a panda display with no pandas?

Nope, the zoo’s pandas were actually Chow Chow dogs (a big-haired breed from Northern China) dyed black-and-white, with their fur trimmed to resemble a panda’s.

A zoo representative gave a strange explanation for the canine cosplay.

“There are no panda bears at the zoo and we wanted to do this as a result,” he said.

Say what?

That statement makes it impossible to know if the zoo’s officials made the move as sort of a comical, tongue-in-cheek prank, or thought people would actually fall for the ruse.

Either way, it’s weird. What’s also weird (but maybe not all that surprising), is that when word got out about the dog pandas, throngs of people paid for admission to the zoo so they could see them.

Well played, Taizhou Zoo, well played.

I think the situation is fascinating on so many levels, and it presents so many possibilities.

Heck, that same zoo should have spread some more black and white paint on a half-dozen donkeys and presto, there’s you zebra exhibit.

And why stop there? A bit more waterproof paint on a few dolphins and there could be a very convincing orca display, right?

I believe that other entertainment entities and venues could even learn a thing of two from the Taizhou folks.

At the “Swim with the Dolphins” attraction at Discovery Bay in Orlando, Fla., why not substitute bull sharks just to liven things up a bit?

Then an official could just say, “there are no dolphins at the Bay and we wanted to do this as a result.”

How about the Petting Zoo at Wild Animal Safari near Springfield? Why does it always have to be goats, sheep and rabbits? With a little dyeing and trimming, things could be a lot more interesting when there’s some hyenas, warthogs and badgers mingling with the petters.

You have to admit, in both of these examples, a lot more people might show up, just like when people slow down to get a good look at a major crash on a highway, or how years ago, almost everyone in town would assemble to watch a hanging.

And on a more local level, why not attach a piece of fire hose to a horse’s snout and sell elephant rides at the Texas County Fair?

Who’s gonna notice? It’ll be just like the real thing, right?

Anyway, what the Taizhou Zoo people did may or may not be dishonest, but it’s totally strange and pretty creepy. But whatever the case, it’s a classic entry in the book of life’s oddities, which is growing exponentially by the day.

Doug Davison is a writer, photographer and newsroom assistant for the Houston Herald. Email: ddavison@houstonherald.com.

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