"Heart-Wrenching Scene: Emaciated Tiger Struggles to Climb Slope at Zoo, Sparking Outrage Over Its Living Conditions"

THIS is the shocking moment a breathtakingly skinny tiger has struggled to walk up a small hill leaving zoo visitors stunned by its emaciated body.

The big cat drew gasps from onlookers as it staggered through its enclosure, with ribs and hip bones clearly visible beneath the skin.

The tiger’s emaciated body has shocked onlookers in China Credit: AsiaWire The heartbreaking video has sparked concerns on social media for the tiger’s welfare Credit: AsiaWire

In harrowing footage caught at the Chuandong Ecological Zoo in southwestern , the weak tiger can be seen battling to walk up a slight incline.

Visitors watched on in disbelief, filming the tired beast as it worked to reach the peak of the hill.

The devastating footage shows the animal slowly walking, dragging its feet as it struggles to make the short walk.

At one moment, it staggered to the right, almost falling in sheer exhaustion.

The tiger staggered up the hill and almost fell over Credit: AsiaWire Zoo authorities said the tiger had recently recovered from being ill Credit: AsiaWire/NX

After stopping itself from falling to the ground, the tiger then continued its walking up the hill, limping on one side.

Finally, when it reached the top, the creature paused, as if catching its breath.

Local media reported that people in the background of the video – captured on Saturday – commented on the shocking low weight of the tiger.

The footage which was posted to Douyin – the Chinese version of – has sparked outrage online.

In the original post, the creator of the video said the tiger looked as though it had used all its strength just to climb the slope.

They wrote: “It is too pitiful. I hope more people can see this video.”

Many other commenters questioned whether the tiger had been properly fed.

Others alerted the authorities to investigate the tiger’s living conditions and .

The zoo has been identified as the Chuandong Ecological Zoo in Longchang, a county-level city administered by Neijiang in Sichuan Province.

Officials from Xiangshi Town Government released a statement on Sunday, saying that they had been made aware of the footage and sent inspectors to the zoo to investigate.

Longchang Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau also said it had sent officials to the site to evaluate the situation.

In a follow-up comment, a staff member from Longchang Natural Resources and Planning Bureau said the Siberian tiger was aged between 16 and 18 years old.

Its age makes it elderly for the species.

The official added that the tiger had been rescued from another location several years prior.

They also said the tiger had recently recovered from falling ill, but that the animal’s health was still poor, denying claims that the creature had been starved or abused.

Keepers have reported feeding the tiger a diet of beef or chicken frames every day.

But they said it was still only eating small amounts.

According to the official, the tiger had been kept in a cage while it was being treated and had been allowed out for the first time on the day the footage was taken.

It was outside so it could move around and get more sunlight.

Authorities said they would continue to monitor the tiger and would transfer it to a better-equipped zoo if its current home was unable to provide suitable medical care.