This is the moment a tiger was caught on camera apparently grazing on grass as concerned visitors questioned whether it was starving.
The footage was taken at Beijing Zoo in China and shows the big cat looking thin as it appears to nibble at the grass near a puddle, with a noticeably bony appearance.
The video was uploaded by a netizen and widely shared, prompting concern over the animal’s health.
The clip was reportedly filmed on 27th July and published the same day with the caption: “This tiger is so hungry that it eats grass.”
In response, zoo officials told multiple Chinese news outlets that the animals were being fed in line with strict breeding regulations and that the feed was tailored to each tiger’s specific needs.
They insisted the animals’ weights remained within normal limits.
Beijing Zoo is one of the oldest and largest in China, founded in 1906 and home to over 14,000 animals from more than 950 species.
It is known for housing rare species including Bengal and Siberian tigers, though the zoo has not confirmed how many are currently on site.
While tigers are strict carnivores, wildlife experts say they sometimes eat grass to help with digestion, relieve discomfort, or purge indigestible material such as fur or bone.
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below. Story By: Michael Leidig, Sub-Editor: Simona Kitanovska, Agency: AsiaWire Report
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