Chinese zoo bans visitors from showing reels & short videos to baby chimpanzee

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A zoo in eastern China recently became popular online after it prohibited visitors from showing smartphones and short videos to a young chimpanzee. Zoo officials say this is to protect the animal’s eyes and overall well-being.

Ding Ding, a two-year-old chimpanzee, is winning hearts online with its remarkably human-like actions. Videos have gone viral showing the little chimp enjoying milk while sitting cross-legged, sweetly clinging to its caretakers, and even delicately eating lotus flower petals.

However, a specific behavior – repeatedly watching videos on a screen through the glass of its enclosure – has led Shanghai Wildlife Park to intervene.

Zoo bans showing short videos to young chimp Ding Ding

Last September, the zoo put up a sign near Ding Ding the chimpanzee’s habitat asking visitors not to show him their phones. The sign, which included a drawing of Ding Ding with a phone crossed out, explained that looking at screens for too long could harm his vision and cause him stress.

I was reading an interview with a zoo worker in the South China Morning Post, and they explained something really interesting. They said that if a chimpanzee has trouble seeing or can’t really connect with people, it can get super stressed out, and that stress can actually make them sick. It’s sad to think about, but it makes sense – they need to be able to see and interact to be happy and healthy!

A popular video from Douyin (the Chinese TikTok) showed a woman holding her phone up to the glass while music played, and a panda named Ding Ding watched closely, sometimes rubbing its face. Other people visiting the panda said it seemed to really enjoy funny videos and short shows.

The surprising ban caused a mix of amusement and agreement online in China. One person commented, “Let animals live naturally,” while another playfully suggested, “My son is glued to his phone just like Ding Ding – maybe the zoo should consider taking him as well!”

The zoo doesn’t have rules with punishments, but staff are asking visitors to be careful and follow guidelines. They pointed out that Ding Ding, the animal in question, can’t protect his eyes like people can with glasses.

This isn’t the first instance of a Chinese zoo making headlines for its rules. Previously this year, Liaoning Zoo had to caution visitors after some were seen pulling out tiger fur from their enclosure, believing it would bring them good luck.

I just saw this crazy story online about Qinhu Bay Forest Animal Kingdom in Taizhou. Apparently, they were painting dogs to *look* like tigers, and people are understandably furious! It’s all over social media right now.

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2025-09-15 18:52