Lion caretakers upset at animal abuse allegations

Lion caretakers upset at animal abuse allegations

2026-04-09

An elderly lion at Shoushan Zoo in Kaohsiung has become the center of attention online, and not for the right reasons. The lion, which is already 23 years old, is no longer the majestic and robust animal that people remember from visiting the zoo years ago. That has lead to unfounded suspicions from foreign commenters that the animal is being abused. Caretakers say they have been deeply hurt by the comments, and are sharing videos online to show just how they are pampering the lion, which is 100 years old in human years. Let’s hear more.

Voice of caretaker
Shoushan Zoo
The other lioness that was affectionate with him passed away last September. In the three months after, his decline accelerated noticeably. We’re sharing this to let visitors and netizens know that he is already a very old lion.

Chuang Hsuan-chih
Shoushan Zoo
Our caretakers spare no effort in taking care of our elderly animals. Our goal is to provide them with a better quality of life.

The zoo says that the accusations of animal abuse are unacceptable. The lion had his right eye removed three years ago due to glaucoma, and the motor function in his hind legs have degenerated. Earlier this year, he was also diagnosed with pulpitis, which reduced his appetite. In addition to tooth extractions, the zoo also prepared special new equipment to help him eat more easily. It’s no wonder that after so much effort, the zoo would be upset to be misunderstood. Even kind-hearted netizens have had enough and have stepped in, leaving comments in English to help clarify the situation to anyone who sees the allegations.

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#lion #zoo #lioness #shoushan #kaohsiung

壽山動物園23歲老獅"二哥受虐"? 網友助澄清:老化等同百歲人瑞

2026-04-09

高雄壽山動物園有一隻已經高齡23歲的獅子"二哥"，相當於人類的百歲人瑞，園方用盡各種方法積極照顧，在IG上分享照護的心情，但因為不是印象中獅子的威武雄壯模樣，竟被國外不知情網友指責是虐待動物，讓保育員好心碎。

[[聲音來源：壽山動物園保育員]]
“牠的另外一隻母獅，跟牠在一起出來放閃的叫做大姊，牠去年九月離世的，後面三個月，我發現牠的退化的時間還滿快的，分享原因就是因為，讓這些網友還是一些遊客，有時後來看到二哥的時候，知道二哥的狀況，牠已經是一隻很老很老的獅子”

[[壽山動物園主任莊絢智]]
“保育員他們在這些高齡動物照養上，其實的確都是非常地盡心盡力，也希望說都能讓牠們，有更好的一個生活品質”

被說虐待動物，當然不能接受，因為二哥右眼三年前因為青光眼摘除，後腳退化，年初還發現有牙髓炎缺乏食慾，不但得拔牙，園方還特地準備新機器，讓二哥可以更方便進食，做到流汗卻被外界誤會，但好心網友得知，也紛紛幫忙用英文留言，要幫動物園澄清。

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Fishponds usually close in the winter, so the Tainan City Government started giving fish farmers NT$10,000 per hectare to lower their water levels and leave small fish, making their ponds ideal fishing grounds for birds. Nearly 60 farmers responded, turning over 180 hectares of ponds into a fish buffet.

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