Starving lions were spotted at the Liaoyang Zoo in the north-eastern province of Liaoning, China lying inside their enclosures.

Local news agencies report that the lions were bought from a circus supplier.

Locals and the visitors of the zoo became concerned about the malnourished lions. Many believe the keepers are mistreating them.

Pictures that were taken showed the malnourished lions lying on the grass of their enclosure.

One of the images showed the malnourished lion’s shoulder blade poking out through the top of its body while it was lying on the floor.

The images were shared on social media, and have been widely shared on Chinese social media platforms.

The spokesman of the Liaoyang Zoo denied that they were mistreating the lions in the zoo, and added that they were bought from a company that supplies entertainment and circus animals.

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The Sanya Guqianqing Tourism and Performance Company, which is based in the Hainan province of Southern China, sent the lions to the Liaoyang Zoo on September 7, 2019.

The malnourished lions arrived at the zoo on September 11, 2019.

According to papers, one of the lions is 15-years-old and the other one is 16-years-old.

Local media reports that the lions had been kept in enclosures for the last 5 months.

The zoo said that they are currently working with vets to nurse the big cats back to their full health.

The State Forestry and Grassland Administration have sent in officials and health experts to inspect the malnourished lions.

The vets reportedly found the animals to be eating and moving normally despite them being malnourished.

Also, investigating officers did not find any evidence of mistreating or abuse.