Table of Contents
- Heartwarming Moment
- Playtime at the Zoo
- Origin of the Nickname
- Unique Appearance
- Future Visibility
- Abandonment and Care
- Zoo Antics
This is the touching moment when a lion affectionately named Corgi is seen playing with a yellow ball, earning its nickname due to its short legs.
The adorable social media video captures the four-year-old lion enjoying itself in its enclosure in China.
A short lion has gained attention for its remarkably short legsCredit: Newsflash
The cute animal was named Corgi for its small legsCredit: Newsflash
The African lion was seen relishing playtime at Jiudingshan Wildlife Zoo in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province.
Zoo staff mentioned that they gave it the nickname due to its noticeably short legs and gentle nature, making it a favorite among its caretakers.
The lion has also become an online sensation after the zoo started sharing videos of it.
One viral clip featured it playing with a ball as if it were a typical household pet.
According to keeper Xiao Cai, Corgi's short legs are a result of a congenital condition.
She shared that Corgi was unfortunately bullied by other lions due to its smaller stature.
As a consequence of the mistreatment it faced, Corgi now resides in a separate enclosure.
Typically, a four-year-old lion measures between three-and-a-half to four meters tall.
In contrast, Corgi appears to be shorter than that, drawing attention for its distinctive physical characteristics.
Local media reported that Corgi's legs are about two-thirds the length of a normal lion's.
Although it is not currently on display for visitors, Xiao expressed hope that this may change soon due to the animal's increasing popularity online.
She added, “I hope one day Corgi can meet visitors because it is truly adorable!”
Corgi was sadly abandoned by its mother shortly after birth and has been hand-raised by the staff throughout its life.
Another staff member noted that initially, no abnormalities were detected in Corgi.
It wasn't until it reached two or three years of age that employees began to notice its legs seemed shorter than those of an average lion.
China’s numerous zoos have previously made headlines, but they have sometimes faced backlash for seemingly strange practices.
Earlier this year, there was an alleged attempt to attract more tourists.
This stunt sparked another controversy regarding “fake animals.”
In February, a zoo in China attempted to draw in more visitors.
The poor dye job was quickly noticed before the Zibo City amusement park in Shandong province admitted that they were donkeys instead.
Corgi is currently not available for visitors to seeCredit: Newsflash
What is the origin of the name "Corgi" for the lion?
The name "Corgi" was given to the lion due to its notably short legs, resembling the small stature of a Corgi dog.
Why is Corgi not currently available for public viewing?
Corgi is not currently on display for visitors due to the bullying it suffered from other lions, leading to its placement in a separate enclosure for its safety.
How did Corgi come to be raised by zoo staff?
Corgi was abandoned by its mother shortly after birth and has been hand-raised by the zoo staff since then.
