A zoo in China has denied abuse after one of its resident gorillas, Dongdong, was seen dragging a tiny piglet around its enclosure like a rag doll.

The shocking footage filmed at the Shendiaoshan Wildlife World in Xixiakou, Weihai, Shandong, shows the gorilla racing around its enclosure while dragging the poor little piglet around by its hind leg.

The tiny hog that the zoo insisted were best friends let out terrified squeals before the footage ends.

The zoo said on June 19 that Dongdong was just playing and that the pair had lived together happily for two years. They did not explain how they could have been friends for two years as the pig appeared so young.

Some suggested the piglet was swapped for a new animal each time it started to grow up, while others claimed that maybe it was a mini pig.

But the zoo said that Dongdong even leaves the best food for the piglet.

The zoo told local media: 'It's just for fun, and the gorilla will leave the delicious food for the piglet. The gorilla is very smart and knows how to deal with it.'

The Shendiaoshan Wildlife Nature Reserve is located by the sea and covers an area of ​​3,800 acres, with animal habitats such as the beast area, herbivore area, marine animal area, African animal area, bear park, bird park, raptor park, gorilla park, leopard wolf mountain, monkey mountain, golden monkey hall, and panda hall.

It is the largest and most unique coastal wildlife nature reserve in the country, according to local media reports.