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Monkey Tugs On Lit Ciggie As Chinese Zoo Claims It Is Actually Anti-Smoking Stunt

This is the moment a monkey at a Chinese zoo tugs on a cigarette and appears to keel over, sparking outrage online and prompting the animal park to claim the clip was meant to discourage smoking.

The footage was filmed at Hengshui Zoo in the city of Hengshui in the Chinese province of Hebei and was shared on TikTok by the animal park, which later reportedly took it down from its account.

According to local media, a popular influencer on the social network Weibo accused the zoo of animal abuse and the zoo told him in a private message: “It’s just a gimmick to advise everyone not to smoke by using a monkey. It’s not really a smoking monkey.”

Wildlife Park released a video of young monkey smoking in Hebei, China. (w18632795555/AsiaWire)

In the video, a baby monkey in pyjamas is seen blinking its eyes while tugging on a lit ciggie in its mouth.

A woman carer removes the cigarette and the monkey reluctantly gives it up.

She says: “Don’t you know smoking is bad for your health? Do you really still smoke? You still smoke.”

Wildlife Park released a video of young monkey smoking in Hebei, China. (w18632795555/AsiaWire)

The monkey then rubs its face and rolls off its seat to lie on the floor where the woman covers it with a blanket.

At the end of the clip, the monkey is offered a bucket of seafood as a treat, which the zoo said was a reward for its performance in the allegedly anti-smoking video.

Other videos show the monkey eating chocolate ice lollies and a probiotic yogurt-type drink.

Wildlife Park released a video of young monkey smoking in Hebei, China. (w18632795555/AsiaWire)

It is unclear if the offended influencer or any animal rights groups plan to report Hengshui Zoo over the deleted video and alleged animal abuse.

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