Zoo forced to X ray tortoise after visitor was filmed sitting on it with child

A zoo in China has apologised after footage showed a woman climbing onto a tortoise while holding her young daughter. The clip spread online and led to backlash, veterinary checks for the animal and promises of tighter control at the exhibition area.

The clip that set off the backlash

The incident happened at Changlu Tourism and Leisure Park in Guangdong, where visitors were attending what the zoo described as an animal science education exhibition. In video that circulated online, an unnamed woman can be seen getting on top of a tortoise while carrying her daughter.

The animal appears to struggle to move with the extra weight on its shell. The same footage also shows the woman encouraging another child to climb onto a second tortoise, described as smaller than the first one. The boy does not manage to get on before the animal moves away.

Online reaction was fierce. The scene prompted anger across China, and some social media users described the woman’s behaviour as "child abuse". Others said the zoo should bring in stricter rules and better supervision to protect the animals on display.

The tortoise involved was later checked by the zoo’s veterinary team. Staff carried out a physical examination, observed its behaviour and performed an X ray of its skeleton.

According to the zoo, the animal showed no external injuries, no fractures and no damage to its internal organs. Vets also said its mental state and appetite had not been affected.

Even with that outcome, the zoo acknowledged that what happened should not have been allowed. It called the incident an "oversight" and said it was especially upsetting because the exhibition had been intended to promote care for animals and respect for life.

What the zoo says will change next

In its response, the park said it would strengthen warning signs in the area and increase the number of staff patrolling the exhibition space. It also said it wants visitors to protect wild animals during their visit, watch them in a civilised way and interact with them without causing harm.

The zoo said people should not trample on animals, sit on them, grab them or otherwise injure them. It added that it would tighten management, improve safety systems in the exhibition area, strengthen on site control and work to better protect both animal welfare and visitor safety.

Local officials from the municipal and forestry authorities are believed to be looking into the incident as well.

Why a tortoise shell is not a seat

A tortoise shell looks hard, but it is not like a loose helmet. It is part of the animal's body, made of bone linked to the spine and ribs, with a tough outer layer called scutes. Pressure on the shell can cause bruising, cracks, or damage deeper inside, including to the lungs and other organs.

Tortoises also tend to hide pain and stress. An animal may keep moving or stay still without showing obvious signs that it has been hurt. That is one reason any heavy weight, rough handling, or climbing on the shell can be dangerous, even if no injury is immediately visible.

Why an X ray may be needed

An X ray lets a vet look beneath the shell for fractures and internal problems that cannot be seen from the outside. It can help show whether the bone has been damaged, whether there is swelling, and whether the chest area appears affected. Reptiles often need careful assessment because external marks do not always match the severity of an injury.

If a tortoise is thought to be hurt, the safest response is usually calm handling, minimal movement, and prompt advice from a vet who treats reptiles or other exotic animals.

What visitors should do around tortoises

At a zoo, farm park, or animal encounter, treat tortoises as hands off unless staff clearly say touching is allowed. Never sit, lean, or place a child on any animal for a photo. Keep to paths and barriers, supervise children closely, and explain that slow animals are still vulnerable.

If you see someone handling an animal unsafely, alert staff rather than stepping into the enclosure yourself. For pet owners, any fall, crushing injury, soft spot, crack, bleeding, or sudden change in breathing, appetite, or movement is a good reason to seek veterinary help quickly.