Jinzhou zoo puts apes on 'paid leave' during exams

A white-browed gibbon at Jinzhou Zoo in Jinzhou, Liaoning province, has been given unexpected "paid leave" during the college entrance examination (or gaokao) period from June 7 to 9, due to its naturally loud voice.

Zoo officials posted a notice on the gibbon's enclosure stating: "Considering the white-browed gibbon's natural instinct to call loudly, it will not be on display during the college entrance examination period".

The decision has sparked amusement online, with netizens joking that the primate was "disliked for being too talkative and loud." Zoo staff confirmed about their measure, noting that white-browed gibbons, a first-class protected species, are known for their powerful morning calls that can be heard several kilometers away.

Jinzhou Zoo's monkey pavilion sits near Beihu Elementary School, and Jinzhou No.1 Senior High School—a traditional gaokao testing site — is located not far from the zoo's north entrance.