"In the southern Chinese city of Nanning, pets took the plunge and went for a dive with their owners in an unusual underwater experiment to prepare for similar activities at sea. Footage filmed on Friday shows scuba-diving parrot 'Jiujiu', as well as French bulldog and a duck descending underwater inside specially designed, sealed diving capsules, while their owners and professional divers accompany them nearby. The pets remain dry and at normal pressure inside the transparent cabins, which are supplied with oxygen and monitored throughout the dive. “Going diving with it feels like exploring a new space together. This is our two-way choice,” said pet owner Baobao, who went viral after diving with her parrot. The diving system was developed by Chris, an inventor who began researching animal diving in 2020. He said the concept follows the same safety, equipment and procedural standards as human scuba diving. According to Chris, more than 60 animals — including dogs, cats, parrots, ducks and rabbits — have already completed similar dives safely over the past five years. Organisers say the project goes beyond novelty. Li Lingbao, head of the pet park hosting the event, said pet diving could reshape parts of the pet industry and open new forms of leisure. She added that future plans include taking the concept into open water, allowing humans and pets to explore the sea together."