Video: Bear-ly believable! Zoo is forced to deny its bears are 'humans in disguise' wearing elaborate costumes after video of the animals standing on two legs went viral in China
- 8 months ago
Bear-ly believable! Zoo is forced to deny its bears are 'humans in disguise' wearing elaborate costumes after video of the animals standing on two legs went viral in China.
They can often be seen standing up on their hind legs like humans to get a closer look at the world around them, or to reach up high to sniff around for some low-hanging food.
But with its bizarre wrinkly fur and slender legs, this captive bear has sparked a furious online row in China - with suspicious observers claiming it is simply a zoo employee in an elaborate animal suit.
Extraordinary video shows the creature reaching up to catch a snack thrown into its enclosure at Hangzhou Zoo - and comically failing to hold on to it.
The distinctly resigned nature of the sun bear has only added fuel to the theory it is in fact a human in disguise. Other observers have pointed to a saggy bottom, sparking theories it is a very life-like suit.
But after a growing clamour for proof, the zoo has finally addressed the controversy.
The zoo was quick to intervene, a spokesperson saying in an audio clip circulating WeChat that such deception would not happen at a state-run facility.
'Some people think I stand like a person,' read a separate social media post, written from the point of view of the bear. 'It seems you don't understand me very well.'
The bear is seen on video from the back, standing on two legs - like a person - and waving its arms around, trying to catch food thrown in by visitors.
It then fails to catch a snack thrown in by the crowd, and resigns itself to sitting on a rock.
Internet users questioned whether the zoo's bears were real after photos circulated showing one standing upright on slender hind legs.
'Because of the way they stand, some people online question whether they are "humans in disguise,"' the newspaper Hangzhou Daily reported.
An employee who answered the phone at the zoo declined to talk about the bears but said visits were being arranged for reporters Monday to see them.
A spokesperson for the zoo also batted off the allegations, saying a human in a fur bear suit 'would not last more than a few minutes before collapsing' in the 104F (40C) summer temperatures.
Sun bears are the size of large dogs, standing at most 1.3 meters (4ft 3") tall on their hind legs.
Grizzlies and other species can be as tall as 2.8 metres (9ft), according to the zoo.
They are the smallest of the bear species and are native to Southeast Asia.
Sun bears have distinct features, such as a short, sleek black coat, a pale yellowish crescent on their chests (which gives them their name), and a light-colored muzzle.
Other Chinese zoos have been accused of trying to pass off dogs dyed to look like wolves or African cats.
In 2019, two zoo workers at Yancheng Wild Animal World in Changzhou, China, were seen wearing gorilla costumes and jumping around.
Following complaints, the zoo reportedly stated that it was an April Fools' prank.
In 2018, reports emerged suggesting
They can often be seen standing up on their hind legs like humans to get a closer look at the world around them, or to reach up high to sniff around for some low-hanging food.
But with its bizarre wrinkly fur and slender legs, this captive bear has sparked a furious online row in China - with suspicious observers claiming it is simply a zoo employee in an elaborate animal suit.
Extraordinary video shows the creature reaching up to catch a snack thrown into its enclosure at Hangzhou Zoo - and comically failing to hold on to it.
The distinctly resigned nature of the sun bear has only added fuel to the theory it is in fact a human in disguise. Other observers have pointed to a saggy bottom, sparking theories it is a very life-like suit.
But after a growing clamour for proof, the zoo has finally addressed the controversy.
The zoo was quick to intervene, a spokesperson saying in an audio clip circulating WeChat that such deception would not happen at a state-run facility.
'Some people think I stand like a person,' read a separate social media post, written from the point of view of the bear. 'It seems you don't understand me very well.'
The bear is seen on video from the back, standing on two legs - like a person - and waving its arms around, trying to catch food thrown in by visitors.
It then fails to catch a snack thrown in by the crowd, and resigns itself to sitting on a rock.
Internet users questioned whether the zoo's bears were real after photos circulated showing one standing upright on slender hind legs.
'Because of the way they stand, some people online question whether they are "humans in disguise,"' the newspaper Hangzhou Daily reported.
An employee who answered the phone at the zoo declined to talk about the bears but said visits were being arranged for reporters Monday to see them.
A spokesperson for the zoo also batted off the allegations, saying a human in a fur bear suit 'would not last more than a few minutes before collapsing' in the 104F (40C) summer temperatures.
Sun bears are the size of large dogs, standing at most 1.3 meters (4ft 3") tall on their hind legs.
Grizzlies and other species can be as tall as 2.8 metres (9ft), according to the zoo.
They are the smallest of the bear species and are native to Southeast Asia.
Sun bears have distinct features, such as a short, sleek black coat, a pale yellowish crescent on their chests (which gives them their name), and a light-colored muzzle.
Other Chinese zoos have been accused of trying to pass off dogs dyed to look like wolves or African cats.
In 2019, two zoo workers at Yancheng Wild Animal World in Changzhou, China, were seen wearing gorilla costumes and jumping around.
Following complaints, the zoo reportedly stated that it was an April Fools' prank.
In 2018, reports emerged suggesting