An amusement park in the Chinese province of Shandong is going viral for housing donkeys painted as zebras — a move an employee reportedly claimed to be a marketing decision.

A zoo in Zibo City, Shandong Province, China, is facing backlash after it was discovered that donkeys had been painted with black and white stripes to resemble zebras in an attempt to attract more visitors.

A Chinese zoo allegedly admitted to painting donkeys black and white to pass off as zebras in an attempt to drive up park attendance. The Zibo City amusement park in Shandong province came under fire when internet users noticed the donkeys were disguised as zebras in early February,

A Chinese zoo has admitted painting its donkeys to look like zebras. Inspired by previous ruses – including dogs painted black and white to look like pandas – bosses said they were desperate to increase the number of visitors through the gates.