This is the moment a cruel animal handler drags three Arctic foxes into the middle of the tourist hotspot so they can be photographed as they are being cuddled by tourists.

Phone footage shows one young woman, who has not been named, who looks as if she is wearing an Arctic fox fur coat, holding one of the terrified animals in her hands as she poses for a photo in front of the winter wonderland in Harbin, located in China’s northernmost Heilongjiang Province.

Harbin is keen to promote itself as a winter tourist destination and the Arctic Fox is apparently yet another tourist attraction for people looking for photographs in the tourist hotspot.

The fox appears to be trying to burrow under her arms as the camera photographs the smiling woman, oblivious to the fact that the wild animal is uncomfortable being held.

Her video went viral on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. With more than 1.75 million likes, 660,000 shares and nearly 130,000 comments.

In other videos, more young people are seen grabbing the defenceless fox. That is so scared it barely moves as it is handed from one person to the next.

The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) is a small mammal native to the remote Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and they normally avoid human beings.

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Recognised for its stunning winter coat that changes colour with the seasons, the Arctic fox has a thick. Fluffy fur that is white during the snowy winter months, providing excellent camouflage and turns brown or grey in the summer.

Adapted to the harsh Arctic environment, it has compact ears, a short muzzle, and a bushy tail. All of which help conserve body heat.

Arctic foxes are well-suited to survive in extreme cold temperatures. And are known for their resourcefulness in finding food in challenging conditions.

They are currently listed as ‘least concern’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.