Orangutan is forced to model children's clothes at a Chinese shopping mall by its zookeeper

• e-mail

Bizarre photos have emerged showing a three-year-old Chinese orangutan shopping for clothes along with its keeper who appears to be enjoying the experience.

Animal rights groups have blasted the photos which depict the animal named Er Mao trying on clothes and purchasing skirts on August 24 in Kunming, China. 

The photos were taken as part of the run-up to the African tribe festival, reports the People's Daily Online. 

Scroll down for video 

Now that's a different customer: Photos show Er Mao being taken shopping in the children's section for clothes 

Probably not intended for Orangutans: Er Mao was pictured wandering around the shop in various clothes

All a litte bit too much: People crowd around the animal inside the shopping centre in Kunming, China

Pose for the camera: Er Mao was the star of the shopping centre as everyone wanted to grab a quick snap of the orangutan

According to reports, the trainer took Er Mao to the shops in order to purchase clothes for the upcoming African Tribes festival.

However, orangutans are native to Borneo island in south-east Asia.

Photos show the animal's keeper taking it around the shops while they look at children's clothes.

People can be seen crowding around and taking photographs. 

A video from the event has also been posted online showing Er Mao having clothes put on him. 

Chinese media has portrayed the images as amusing.  

However animal rights groups have blasted the images along with many people on China's social media site Weibo. 

One user wrote:'It should be free to run around instead of getting clothes in the mall.' 

While another commented: 'I think it would be happier living in lowland tropical rainforest rather than at the mall to sell.' 

And one user commented: 'They shouldn't impose their preferences on animals!'  

Getting a hug from its keeper: Er Mao was at the shopping centre to prepare for the upcoming African Tribes Festival

Taking a look in the mirror: Er Mao seemed to be less than pleased with this number when taking a look

Fashionable: Er Mao was pictured in the shopping mall on August 24 browsing for clothes and trying on sunglasses

Elisa Allen, Director of PETA UK told MailOnline:  'Orangutans, like other primates, are highly intelligent and belong in their natural habitat. 

'They shouldn't be used as props or for amusement. They're also arboreal – which means their feet are suited for gripping tree limbs, not for walking – so standing on flat ground is painful to them. 

'These highly endangered animals deserve empathy and our help in protecting their natural habitat, not to be exploited and ridiculed.'

Not happy: Animal rights groups and people on social media have criticised the images saying Er Mao is being exploited

Disturbing: Photos show the animal's keeper taking him around the shops while they look at children's clothes

Bizarre: The images were released in the run up to the African Tribe Festival despite orangutans originating from Asia