A viral video showing park visitors standing and squatting on a live tortoise has ignited widespread outrage and prompted a Chinese theme park to announce a strict new blacklist policy to prevent future animal mistreatment. The footage, filmed in August 2026 at the Changlu Tourism and Leisure Park in Guangdong Province, China, shows a guest stepping onto the back of a tortoise and squatting on the reptile while holding a child. The incident occurred in the park’s designated animal-experience area, despite clear signage instructing visitors not to sit or stand on the animals. The live tortoise viral video sparked condemnation across social media, leading the park to implement a blacklist for visitors who engage in inappropriate behavior with animals.
The footage, which circulated rapidly on social media, shows a woman standing on the back of an African spurred tortoise while holding a young girl. The animal appeared to struggle under the added weight. According to reports, the woman was seen laughing before gesturing toward a nearby boy and encouraging him to climb onto the tortoise as well. Children were also seen following suit and standing on the backs of other tortoises in the enclosure, according to the witness who filmed the incident.
The witness described the scene as particularly troubling: “When the tortoise started writhing, she seemed to enjoy it even more and waved her son over to get on with her.” The witness also claimed that no staff members intervened to stop the behavior, despite the presence of warning signs at the attraction.
The incident occurred at Changlu Tourism and Leisure Park in Foshan, Guangdong Province, China. The park features designated animal-experience areas where visitors can observe and interact with various species, including the African spurred tortoise involved in this incident. The park has since issued a public statement acknowledging the event and outlining new safety measures to prevent future occurrences.
The footage generated widespread criticism on social media, with many users condemning the behavior as animal cruelty. Commenters called the actions “straight-up animal abuse” and expressed frustration with the park’s lack of intervention. Others questioned the supervision at the attraction, with one user writing: “Are the warning signs on site just for decoration?” The incident also raised broader concerns about animal welfare at tourist attractions and the responsibility of visitors to treat animals with respect.
Experts have noted that tortoise shells, while appearing sturdy, are actually living tissue fused to the animal’s skeleton, including its spine and ribs. According to Spruce Pets, a tortoise’s shell contains nerves and blood vessels, meaning pressure from being stepped on can cause severe fractures that are not visible externally. The park itself acknowledged this danger, warning that excessive weight could potentially crack or damage the shell, injure the spine, or place pressure on internal organs.
Reports indicate that the park had posted signage explicitly prohibiting visitors from stepping on or sitting on the tortoises. Despite this, the incident occurred without immediate staff intervention, leading to criticism of the park’s management and oversight. The presence of clear warnings suggests the behavior was not permitted and that the park had established rules to protect the animals.
Following the viral backlash, Changlu Tourism and Leisure Park took several significant actions:
The park immediately arranged for a veterinarian to examine the tortoise involved in the incident. According to the park, the examination found the tortoise to be in good health, with no injuries or signs of distress. However, experts caution that hidden injuries to a tortoise’s shell may not be immediately visible.
The park stated that it would investigate whether there had been shortcomings in its on-site management and review its procedures for supervising visitors in animal areas.
The most significant response was the announcement of a new blacklist policy aimed at preventing future animal mistreatment. Visitors who engage in inappropriate behavior with animals — including standing, sitting, or climbing on them — will be banned from the park. The park also stated that it would strengthen patrols and ensure staff intervene if similar behavior recurs.
Under the new policy, visitors who violate the park’s rules by stepping on, sitting on, or otherwise mistreating animals could face:
This measure reflects a growing trend among parks and zoos worldwide to hold visitors accountable for inappropriate behavior with animals, particularly when such behavior could cause harm or distress to the animals.
According to the park’s official statement, the tortoise involved in the incident underwent a comprehensive veterinary examination and was found to be in good health. The park stated: “A veterinarian examined the tortoise after the recorded incident and found it in good health.
” However, animal welfare experts note that tortoise shells are living tissue that can sustain hidden injuries, meaning an animal can appear unharmed while having suffered serious damage. The tortoise is an African spurred tortoise, a species listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning its international trade is regulated.
The viral videos triggered a firestorm of criticism online, with social-media users expressing outrage at the visitors’ behavior. The family involved in the incident faced widespread condemnation. Comments included:
The park also came under scrutiny, with many questioning why staff had not intervened when the behavior occurred despite the presence of warning signs.
Incidents like this highlight the importance of strict animal welfare rules at parks and wildlife attractions. Visitors should always:
Tortoise shells, while appearing sturdy, are living structures that can be damaged by pressure and weight, potentially causing internal injuries or fractures that are not immediately visible.
| Question | What is known |
|---|---|
| Where did the incident happen? | Changlu Tourism and Leisure Park in Foshan, Guangdong Province, China |
| What did the viral footage show? | A guest stepping onto and squatting on a live tortoise while holding a child |
| Why did people become angry? | The behavior raised animal welfare concerns and violated park rules |
| Was the tortoise injured? | A veterinary examination found the tortoise to be in good health |
| Did the park respond? | The park implemented a blacklist policy and strengthened patrols |
| What is the blacklist policy? | Visitors who mistreat animals will be banned from the park |
| Are all online claims accurate? | Social-media claims may be unverified; rely on official park statements |
A visitor was filmed stepping onto and squatting on a live tortoise while holding a child at a Chinese theme park. The footage sparked widespread criticism.
The incident occurred at the Changlu Tourism and Leisure Park in Foshan, Guangdong Province, China.
Visitors were criticized for standing on a live tortoise, a behavior that violates park rules and can potentially cause harm to the animal.
Yes, footage shows a guest stepping onto and squatting on a live tortoise while holding a child.
A veterinary examination found the tortoise to be in good health, with no injuries reported.
The park implemented a new blacklist policy to ban visitors who mistreat animals and strengthened patrols to prevent future incidents.
Visitors who engage in inappropriate behavior with animals—such as standing, sitting, or climbing on them—will be banned from the park.
Visitors should never stand, sit, or climb on tortoises. They should follow posted signs, keep a safe distance, and only touch animals when explicitly permitted.
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