A CHINESE AQUARIUM HAS COME UNDER FIRE AFTER VISITORS DISCOVERED THE SHARK WAS A ROBOT. (PHOTO).

 A Chinese aquarium has come under fire after visitors discovered that a highly anticipated “giant shark” display was actually a robotic replica. The incident took place at Xiaomeisha Sea World in Shenzhen, which recently reopened on October 1 after five years of renovations. Guests were excited to see the attraction’s highlight, a massive whale shark, the world’s largest fish known to grow over 60 feet long. However, their excitement quickly turned to disappointment when they noticed that the whale shark on display was not real.

Photos taken by visitors showed clear gaps in the shark’s body, revealing that it was a mechanical model. Many felt misled by the aquarium’s promotional materials, which had generated much hype about the exhibit. The backlash was swift, with visitors expressing their frustration online, accusing the aquarium of false advertising.

In response to the criticism, Xiaomeisha Sea World defended the use of the robotic shark, explaining that it was designed in compliance with wildlife protection laws. These laws prohibit the capture and trade of real whale sharks, and the aquarium claimed the robotic shark was a creative alternative to showcasing a live one. The management emphasized that there was no intention to deceive the public.

This incident adds to a series of recent scandals involving fake animals in Chinese zoos. Just last month, visitors at Shanwei Zoo discovered that what they thought were pandas were actually dogs painted to resemble the iconic bears. Such incidents have drawn widespread criticism, raising questions about transparency and ethics in animal exhibits across the country.