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A shocking video has emerged online showing an Amur tiger tied down by circus staff so visitors can ride on it and have their pictures taken.

The distressed animal is forced to lie on a platform, with its head pressed down to the floor and its limbs bound.

Then, ticket holders for the Chinese circus are invited into the tiger's cage to sit on its back and pose for souvenir photographs.

It is believed that the circus was in Yiyang city, Hunan in southern China.

However, it is unclear who filmed the clip, or when it was recorded.

(Image: Iqiyi)

Around 30 people, including young children and toddlers were invited into the ring to take pictures with the tiger.

One child even screams: "I'm scared, I'm scared" as his mother attempts to place him astride the huge creature.

But a worker, using a microphone, continues to encourage guests to come forward, saying: "How cool is it to sit on a tiger? Perhaps this can keep you away from the devils and bring you well too."

It is believed that the God of Wealth in China is reminiscent of a tiger and will bring good fortune to all those who come in contact.

At the end of the video, when the tiger is finally released, it immediately jumps off the platform and retreats to its cage, well away from the stage.

(Image: Iqiyi)

The footage was originally posted on iqiyi.com alongside a caption that claims that tiger looked distressed and desperate .

It was also claimed that the animal was suffering from ill health at the time the video was recoreded.

The Amur tiger, also called a Siberian tiger has been driven to the brink of extinction by hunting in the 1940s when it was believed no more than 40 individuals were left in the wild.

The population of Amur tigers was increased in the 1980s and now remains stable - with around 540 animals now living wild.