Claws come out as Xi’an museum removes resident cats

Plans to remove the many stray cats that roam the ancient grounds of a Xi’an museum following a scratching incident have social media users hissing with disapproval.

Housed in a former Confucian Temple, The Stele Forest Museum is home to nearly 3,000 stone steles – and dozens of stray cats.

There, they have enjoyed a bit of celebrity, bringing joy to visitors who spot them weaving through the rows of ancient stone inscriptions, the website reported.

That is until now. Museum officials announced their removal plan Wednesday after a mother cat scratched at children who got too close to her newborn kittens, reported local news website 029dsw. com.

But so far, the felines haven’t fallen for the traps laid out by employees, the museum admitted.

“Maybe because they’ve been in the museum so long they’re smarter than the average cat,” the museum posted on Sina Weibo Friday.

Social media users have shown overwhelming support for the museum’s unofficial mascots.

According to a People’s Daily Weibo poll on Sunday, an 97.5 percent of some 70,000 respondents agreed that the cats should remain in the museum.

“If naughty kids threaten to harm the relics, should they be destroyed as well?” posted Feihongtaxueni.

“The mother cat, who knows to protect her baby, did a better job parenting than that kid’s parents, who just ignored warnings and let their kids touch the cats,” said Bullshitinmabrain.

Others said the museum has its priorities straight.

“Should someone have to die before the museum addresses safety issues?” posted Sitedianxia.