At Guangzhou Zoo in southern China, one resident lion has unexpectedly become an online celebrity. The male white lion, nicknamed A Hang, drew massive attention after visitors shared photos showing his mane shaped into what looked like perfect blunt-cut bangs.

Photos Spark Online Curiosity

The images, first posted by a zoo visitor, quickly spread across Chinese and international social media. Many viewers joked that the animal looked like it had just stepped out of a salon, while others speculated that zookeepers must have trimmed its mane.

“The fringe is too straight to be natural,” some commenters argued. Memes and playful captions soon followed, making A Hang’s new “hairstyle” a trending topic.

Zoo Responds: No Haircuts Here

Guangzhou Zoo, however, has firmly denied that anyone touched the lion’s mane. In statements to local media, staff said there is no grooming program for lions and that keepers would not risk cutting or styling a predator’s hair.

“You can say he styled it himself,” one employee said with humor. The zoo explained that humidity in Guangzhou combined with the lion’s self-grooming habits — licking and rubbing its mane — likely caused the hair to part and fall forward in a way that resembles bangs.

Nature’s Own Hair Stylist

Experts note that a lion’s mane is not static; it can change shape due to weather, humidity, and grooming patterns. In humid climates, animal fur may clump or settle differently. The zoo said A Hang’s mane looked ordinary in the past and could return to its typical style as conditions change.

Some visitors backed this up, saying they had seen the same lion before without bangs, suggesting the look might be temporary.

Viral But Harmless

While the story amused millions, zookeepers emphasized the lion is healthy and thriving. The unusual appearance is cosmetic only and poses no risk to the animal’s well-being.

The episode is also a reminder of how fast a single photo can spark global speculation. What started as a visitor’s funny snapshot turned into a viral headline — and a lesson that sometimes, nature itself gives even the “king of the jungle” an unexpected bad hair day.