Egyptian zoo paints stripes on donkey ... to make it look like a zebra

In a bizarre attempt to diversify its caliber of animals, a Cairo-based zoo has painted a donkey in black and white stripes to pass it off as a zebra, thinking no one will notice.

The animal sanctuary - located in Cairo's International Garden municipal park - had only recently opened its doors to the public when Mahmoud A. Sarhan visited the zoo on July 21 and noticed something odd about the "zebra".

He got a little closer and noticed that the animal's skin was painted. 

Sarhan subsequently shared a photo of the close-up on Facebook, which went viral soon after.

According to local media, a number of vets in the country confirmed that the animal is indeed a donkey.

However, the director of International Gardens Park, Mohamed Sultan, denied the allegations.

Still, people on social media can't get over the failed attempt...