Shanghai Mall Uses Baby Giraffe in Controversial Publicity Stunt
Kids just can’t resist the cuteness of giraffes, especially baby giraffes. It was this line of thinking that inspired a mall in Shanghai to use a giraffe to attract more visitors, reports Kankanews.
Last week, a mall on Ruiping Lu sent out an official press release announcing that they would present a baby giraffe from June 1 to June 9, just in time for Children’s Day. Visitors would not only be able to take pictures with it, but they could feed it as well.
The giraffe first appeared at the mall on May 31, one day early. Of course, parents and kids flocked to the mall to see the cute creature.
Images via Kankanews
The baby giraffe is only 18 months old and roughly three meters tall. Despite being cute, many onlookers noticed that the creature appeared upset as it paced around its cage.
Images via Kankanews
“There is nothing to worry about,” reassured Cai, a project leader of the mall. “We have [thought about this] from every angle and the safety of both the giraffe and audience can be guaranteed.”
Things apparently took a turn for the worse the following day. Once again, families turned up at the mall to see the baby giraffe. However, the giraffe was nowhere to be found. Instead, it was replaced by a couple of small ponies and a giant giraffe doll. According to a spokesperson at the mall, the giraffe was sent back to its original home due to health issues.
Images via Kankanews
According to regulations, in order to use a wild animal for commercial purposes one must get approval by the Department of Forestry. Although the mall insists that they abided by the law, both the Shanghai Zoo and Shanghai Wild Animal Park denied ever lending their giraffes to the mall. Where this baby giraffe came from remains a mystery.
[Cover image via Pexels]
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