Inside the zoo, a male lion is lying on the ground, appearing noticeably thin with visible bones.
Recently, an internet user posted a short video on a social media platform claiming that a lion at Benxi Zoo in Liaoning Province was so starved it looked like a ‘paper-thin’ lion, drawing widespread attention. On Tuesday, zoo officials stated that ‘Big Mao’ has entered the recovery stage.
According to the zoo's statement, in April 2021, the male African lion ‘Big Mao’ came to Benxi Zoo at around 9 years old and is now 14. On August 6, 2025, Big Mao's mate ‘Panpan’ passed away due to old age. After losing his partner, Big Mao became mentally depressed and listless, with his food intake continuously decreasing.
The statement further indicated that in December 2025, Big Mao began showing signs of deep depression. For over 40 days, he ate almost nothing, though he continued to drink water and occasionally consumed a small amount of live food. He gradually became emaciated and engaged in little to no daily activity. During this time, Benxi Zoo made every effort to treat and care for Big Mao. After ongoing treatment and recuperation, by the end of February 2026, Big Mao slowly resumed a normal diet, with his meat intake gradually increasing. Currently, he consumes about five kilograms of beef and chicken daily and is now in the recovery stage. His strength, energy, and weight are gradually improving. Especially with the recent warmer weather, Big Mao has begun to venture outdoors to bask in the sun and has accepted a new companion, a female African lion named ‘Doudou’.
According to the zoo's statement, in April 2021, the male African lion ‘Big Mao’ came to Benxi Zoo at around 9 years old and is now 14. On August 6, 2025, Big Mao's mate ‘Panpan’ passed away due to old age. After losing his partner, Big Mao became mentally depressed and listless, with his food intake continuously decreasing.
The statement further indicated that in December 2025, Big Mao began showing signs of deep depression. For over 40 days, he ate almost nothing, though he continued to drink water and occasionally consumed a small amount of live food. He gradually became emaciated and engaged in little to no daily activity. During this time, Benxi Zoo made every effort to treat and care for Big Mao. After ongoing treatment and recuperation, by the end of February 2026, Big Mao slowly resumed a normal diet, with his meat intake gradually increasing. Currently, he consumes about five kilograms of beef and chicken daily and is now in the recovery stage. His strength, energy, and weight are gradually improving. Especially with the recent warmer weather, Big Mao has begun to venture outdoors to bask in the sun and has accepted a new companion, a female African lion named ‘Doudou’.