Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Visitors Riding Tortoise at China Park Spark Animal-Welfare Outrage
A video from a park in China showed people climbing onto a tortoise.
A woman was holding a child while standing on the animal.
She was also reportedly seen encouraging another child to climb on it.
The tortoise appeared to struggle while trying to move.
A sign at the attraction said visitors should not step on or sit on tortoises.
Many people became angry after seeing the video.
The park arranged for a veterinarian to examine the tortoise.
The veterinarian said the animal was in good health, while the park said it would investigate its management.
Video reportedly showed a woman standing on an African spurred tortoise while holding a child.
The woman allegedly encouraged a nearby boy to climb onto the tortoise as well.
A warning sign prohibited visitors from stepping on or sitting on the animals.
Changlu Tourism and Leisure Park said a veterinarian found the tortoise in good health.
The viral footage prompted criticism of visitor behavior and the park’s on-site supervision.
- Who
- A woman and children were shown interacting with an African spurred tortoise; Changlu Tourism and Leisure Park responded.
- What
- Visitors were reportedly seen riding, kicking, or stepping onto a tortoise despite a warning sign.
- When
- The incident reportedly occurred on Friday; the video later prompted online backlash.
- Where
- The incident occurred in a tortoise experience area at Changlu Tourism and Leisure Park in Foshan, Guangdong Province, China.
- Why
- The conduct drew criticism because pressure from a person’s weight can damage a tortoise’s shell, spine, ribs, or internal organs, and because the attraction prohibited such behavior.
Critics and Witnesses
Park Response
Visitor conduct
Critics and Witnesses
Critics condemned the woman’s behavior, saying the video showed her climbing onto the tortoise and encouraging children to do the same despite posted rules.
Park Response
The park did not defend the conduct and said it would investigate the incident and possible management shortcomings.
Staff supervision
Critics and Witnesses
The witness who filmed the incident said no staff members intervened while the woman and children were on the animal.
Park Response
The park’s response focused on investigating whether its on-site management had shortcomings; the article does not report a final finding.
Animal impact
Critics and Witnesses
The tortoise appeared to struggle, and critics raised concerns about potential harm from the added weight.
Park Response
The park said a veterinary examination found the tortoise in good health, while explaining that pressure can potentially damage a tortoise’s shell, spine, ribs, or internal organs.
- Attraction
- Changlu Tourism and Leisure Park
- Location
- Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
- Animal
- African spurred tortoise, also known as a sulcata tortoise
- Reported veterinary finding
- The park said the tortoise was in good health after examination.
- Visitor rule
- A sign instructed visitors not to step on or sit on the tortoises.
- Park response
- The park said it would investigate possible shortcomings in on-site management.
- Conservation status
- The species is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.