As we head deeper into autumn some people maybe thinking longingly of holidaying in exotic places around the world.

But where to go?

Well for somewhere completely different to home, how about China?

Now we’ve seen and reported on similar instances before, but it does appear to be endemic that zoos in China have a habit of exhibiting animals that aren’t what they’re supposed to be. 

Now in this latest incident visitors to an attraction in Guangyuan demanded heir money back after a number of what were supposed to be pandas started to bark.

Images subsequently posted on line showed two somewhat unusual looking creatures with black ears and dark circles round their eyes, but sporting pretty evident canine features.

Whilst the zoo subsequently admitting dyeing 2 chow-chows, a breed of spitz dog from northern China famous for their thick coats and lion-like mane, they also said that they didn’t mislead people because the rare and exotic animals had been described as “panda dogs”.

Last year another zoo in China was forced to release a statement that its resident sun bear was in fact an animal and not a human in costume. Questions arose because of it appearing to stand like a human with visible folds of fur on its body that looked more like humans wearing ill-fitting clothing.

But if China’s not exotic enough, there’s always Uzbekistan, and if that’s your choice, take great care about what you take in your hand luggage, as one man discovered as we reported on today’s show!

“Anything to declare?”, asked the customs officer at Tashkent airport in Uzbekistan to the man about to board an aircraft on 28th September.

He was then asked to open up his carry-on luggage revealing a sleeping 10 foot long tiger albino python, which had not been declared  by the passenger, either verbally, or on his declaration form.

Since this animal is listed in the International Red Book, international transport requires appropriate documentation which this passenger was unable to provide, resulting in his prompt arrest. The snake was subsequently handed over to Tashkent zoo, where it was assessed to be healthy.

Mind you in 2022 two women took things to a different level after over 109 different animals were found stuffed inside their bags.

Think I’ll be staying put, so hope to have the pleasure of your company again tomorrow,
Scott