Animal installations at Shanghai Xintiandi. [Photo/IC]

Shanghai Xintiandi, the city's central shopping and entertainment district, has been "occupied" by animals in different sorts of shapes and sizes since Thursday.

The 235 animals stationed there include bears, tropical fish, mongoose and wolves. They will be staying until August 31.

As reported, the animal installations are in fact part of the CrackingArt art project from Italy. The project aims to raise awareness about the need to protect the environment and the habitat the animals live in.