Photos of a male lion at a Chinese zoo sporting baby bangs went viral online, leaving many wondering how the staff managed to pull off the haircut. They claim they didn’t…

The lion’s mane is the most recognizable feature of the species, and even though its size and color vary by a variety of factors, both genetic and environmental, we can say that it almost never has that tidy “salon” look. But there are exceptions, like this specimen at a zoo in Guangzhou, China, which recently went viral for sporting an impeccable mane that seemed styled after the baby bangs we see female celebrities sporting on the red carpet at various events. The unique look has sparked some controversy online, with many accusing the zoo staff of cutting the animal’s hair, a claim that the zoo has repeatedly denied.

Look at that thing. It looks like someone tried giving that majestic lion Joe Exotic’s iconic haircut. It’s hard to believe that hairdo isn’t the work of humans, but the staff at Guangzhou Zoo insists that they did not go near the lion with shears. Cutting the lion’s mane is too dangerous, according to an official statement, which mentioned that the look of the lion’s mane might be influenced by the humidity in Guangzhou.

Few have taken the zoo’s statement seriously, and one social media user even accused the staff of lying, claiming that when they last visited the place a couple of months ago the lion’s had a normal mane, and now it looks like it’s been to a hair salon.

“I went there two months ago, its hairstyle was not like this, and now its hairstyle is so silly, the person wrote on Little Red Book.

 

The zoo insists that it had nothing to do with the bizarre look of the lion’s mane, claiming that the animals groom themselves by licking their fur, which can cause changes to how their manes look.