A pet influencer from China has gone viral for raising a Bengal tiger worth more than one million yuan (US$140,000) and attracting over 4 million followers on mainland social media.
Gong is a young Chinese woman living in Ukraine with her boyfriend. They share a suburban villa with a white tiger, two serval wildcats, a black jaguar, and a Bernese Mountain Dog.
The couple have a 2,000-square-metre garden and a pool for the animals to enjoy.
In her videos, Gong says that because of the value of the big cat, they have named it “Million Gong”.
She even paid an extra US$9,000 to skip the queue to buy it. Local officials regularly check the animals’ papers and living conditions.
Gong said her boyfriend studied in Ukraine and bought property while living there. He also runs a rental business.
The couple now work full-time as content creators so they can spend more time with their animals.
Million Gong, a female born in April last year, now weighs around 70kg and could grow to 150kg as an adult.
She currently lives inside the villa, though Gong plans to build her a special outdoor compound as she gets bigger.
White tigers no longer exist in the wild, and there are only about 200 in captivity. In Chinese culture, they are seen as a sacred symbol of power and justice.
The animal’s monthly food bill is about 15,000 yuan (US$2,000). That includes kilograms of beef plus snacks like chicken, rabbit, lamb, and vitamins.
She is toilet trained and goes to a designated spot, with another 1,200 yuan (US$170) spent monthly on disposable mats designed for urination and defecation indoors.
Million Gong often wrecks furniture, adding to the cost of her upkeep. Her owner said she might consider spaying her if no mate turns up.
Also, she once choked on beef from overeating, loves milk and chicken legs, hates baths and nail trims, and always grooms herself before bed.
While Gong studies, Million Gong lies beside her, plays with her pens and gently licks her hand.
Many netizens have fallen for what Gong calls her “silly but adorable” tiger.
One online observer said: “My heart is melting because of Million Gong! She is nothing like the king of beasts, just a spoiled little kitty.”
While another warned: “No matter how cute she is now, be careful! Million Gong is still a carnivore.”
“Trust Gong and her boyfriend. They have the courage, knowledge, and enough money to raise a white tiger,” said a third. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
