Lion born with unusually short legs named 'Corgi' causes zoo to be scrutinized for poor practices under the guise of "conservation": 'Real conservation focuses on maintaining strong, diverse genetics'

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Nov 14, 2025 12:00 PM EST

We love corgis. In fact, we love anything with short legs and big bodies…. but as much as we want to love this lion named 'Corgi', we just can't. Corgi is a lion that was born in a zoo with unusually short legs, hence their name. However, he was born this way as a result of inbreeding, which has caused the zoo to be investigated for poor breeding practices. We're all for animal welfare and conservation, but seeing as Corgi would never be able to survive in the wild with his unfortunate, yet adorable birth defect, we have a hard time calling this conservation at all.

Thankfully, his tiny legs don't affect his health, meaning that he should live a relatively normal life. As normal a life as a lion in a zoo with short legs can have, anyway.

Before we end our soapbox rant and let you get down to some cute pictures of Corgi, we must say this: lions are not pets, and no animal deserves to be created simply for entertainment. All creatures deserve to live their lives to their fullest, and as much as we hope Corgi will live a long and happy life, we seriously doubt that they will. We expect everyone, especially people who claim to care for animals and the planet we live on, to pawsitively do better.

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  • 01
    This is Corgi, an African lion born with short legs
    via wildlife.and.animals
  • 02
    wildlife.and.animals A lion named Corgi has gone viral online for his unusually short legs. The African lion, housed at East China's Xuzhou Jiudingshan Wildlife Park, was born with a congenital trait that doesn't affect his health. However, after being bullied by other lions, he was moved to a separate enclosure. While his
    via wildlife.and.animals

  • We feel for Corgi because we, too, were picked on for looking different. Our parents described us as “husky” when we were kids, and all the athletic kids used to insult us because we couldn't run as fast and got tired too quickly. It wasn't fun. We hope they find him some friends to play with who don't mind his size!

  • 03
    unique look has made him popular, it also raises concern about breeding practices in captivity. Genetic abnormalities like Corgi's often result from inbreeding, which happens when animals are bred within small or poorly managed facilities. Inbreeding increases the risk of deformities, weaker immune systems, and shorter lifespans,
    via wildlife.and.animals
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10574375168
    via wildlife.and.animals
  • 05
    causing unnecessary suffering and doing nothing to support true conservation. Real conservation focuses on maintaining strong, diverse genetics that protect the species in the long term, not creating animals with abnormalities simply for display.
    via wildlife.and.animals
  • 06
    Cheezburger Image 10574375424
    via wildlife.and.animals
  • 07
    corenacj So now he's stuck and trapped on his own. Like solitary confinement? How awful and lonely for him
    via corenacj
  • 08
    rostam_kianian He's little cutie
    via rostam_kianian
  • 09
    Corgi's short legs were caused by inbreeding →
    via wildlife.and.animals
  • 10
    tuvhagen Aww didn't know that was possible
    via tuvhagen

  • Don't get us wrong, he's definitely cute, but he doesn't deserve the hand he was dealt. Purrhaps they should introduce him to some real corgis or dachshunds, they will understand his dilemma purrfectly!

  • 11
    thebigcat.project Awww
    via thebigcat.project
  • 12
    Corgi's short legs were caused by inbreeding
    via wildlife.and.animals
  • 13
    snakeknife_ We love a short king!!!
    via snakeknife_
  • 14
    anarg1584 Still beautiful... All corgis are!
    via anarg1584
  • 15
    arezofarr Being different is the key to happiness +++ Tolong live
    via arezofarr
  • 16
    paolino884
    via paolino884
  • 17
    absent_gam3r_ If this is real, this is actually not cute, this animal has no chance of survival in the wild, it is to remain stuck behind concrete walls and steel bars as to attract humans for mere entertainment. However, if this animal is taken care of properly and the required medical attention is given then I hope it lives out his best pampered life
    via absent_gam3r_
  • 18
    leary121 Great name. Entirely appropriate. Legs look just like the late Queens' corgi dogs →
    via leary121
  • 19
    via wildlife_rescuers

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lions conservation zoo Genetics animal rescue animal welfare corgi lion big cats animals
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