A Chinese zoo has sparked a social media storm after it started selling tiger urine, claiming its “medicinal properties” could treat rheumatism.

A visitor to the Yaan Bifengxia Wildlife Zoo, situated in the southwestern Sichuan province, shared a post on social media saying the facility was selling “medicinal tiger urine” allegedly from Siberian tigers.

A 250gm-bottle of the liquid cost about 50 yuan (£5.54). According to the South China Morning Post, the zoo recommended the fluid be mixed with white wine and applied to the affected areas, along with slices of ginger. It had a “good therapeutic effect” on ailments like rheumatoid arthritis, sprains, and muscle pain, it claimed.

Customers were told the concoction was safe for oral consumption but should no longer be used if they experienced any allergic reactions.

Speaking to Chinese media outlet The Paper, the zoo said the urine was collected directly from a basin the tigers urinated in but did not clarify if any disinfection procedures were followed.