A restaurant in northern China is under fire for offering customers the chance to cuddle lion cubs as part of a pricey afternoon tea package. While diners seem thrilled by the exotic experience, wildlife experts and animal welfare groups are slamming it as unethical, calling it blatant exploitation of wild animals for profit and social media clout.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about a bizarre menu item—it’s part of a bigger, troubling trend where wild animals are treated as props for entertainment. Experts warn that normalizing this kind of interaction fuels illegal wildlife trade and puts endangered species at risk. It also raises questions about where these cubs came from and how they’re being cared for. If people keep paying for these experiences, businesses will keep offering them—at the animals’ expense.

A restaurant in China is stirring up major controversy by letting diners cuddle lion cubs as part of their dining experience. Animal rights groups, including PETA, are slamming the practice as cruel and unsafe, arguing that wild animals shouldn’t be treated like playthings. The restaurant insists the cubs are well cared for, but critics say it’s blatant exploitation—not harmless fun.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about a bizarre gimmick—it’s part of a bigger debate over how we treat animals for entertainment. If businesses normalize interactions like this, it could fuel demand for unethical wildlife tourism or even endanger both animals and people. It’s a reminder that what seems "cute" can have serious consequences.