Xiaomeisha Sea World in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China, has faced backlash following the display of a life-size robotic whale shark during its reopening in October.

Although the aquarium attracted many visitors, the discovery that the whale shark was artificial has led to outrage among some attendees, especially given the 230 yuan entry fee.

According to 'The South China Morning Post,' videos on social media show the robot swimming through the waters, spurring complaints on the review platform Dazhong Dianping.

Visitors expressed their displeasure, with some demanding refunds and others threatening to report the establishment.

A commenter described their disbelief at the fake whale shark, stating the ticket price was unjustified.

However, there are supporters of the aquarium's method.

For instance, a cyberpunk enthusiast on Xiaohongshu praised the idea of showcasing marine life without confinement.

They suggested using this opportunity for public education on animal conservation.

Notably, this is not the first instance of robotic whale sharks in China, with a similar attraction introduced at Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park in 2022.