We westerners are used to animals, and used to taking for granted that we know which animal is which.
The Chinese, without generalizing them all, tend to know much less about animals (seen through their persistent myths and beliefs, magical animal properties, lack of animal welfare laws. Many Chinese seem unaware of the difference between African elephants, Asian elephants, and extinct mammoths)
Obviously, most Chinese know what a lion is, but then again, it took the dog to have to bark for them to become suspicious.
Caring for animals is a wealthyness thing. People who struggle and starve can't care about zebras and monkeys in foreign lands, we can, we watch animal docus, and we learn about them, while doing other pointless hobbies.
The Chinese got 1 holyday a year, which is new-years. They don't have time to even watch a single documentary, much less have a "hobby".