Zoo's upright bear accused of being just a guy in a suit
A Chinese zoo has had to be completely trans-bear-ant about its popular sun bear, following allegations that it was actually a human in disguise.
The Hangzhou Zoo in China gained international recognition after video footage of their sun bear standing on its hind legs and waving at visitors caused many to paws and look twice.
Many were bear-side themselves with excitement as theories that it was a human in disguise continued to spread.
The local Hangzhou Daily first reported on the attention that the four-year-old sun bear named Angela was receiving.
“Because of the way they stand, some people online question whether they are ‘humans in disguise’,” they wrote.
As Angela gained popularity, experts were summoned and had to confirm that the bear was in fact fur-real.
Ashleigh Marshall, an expert from Chester Zoo, told BBC News that the animal “is definitely a real bear,” and affirmed to doubtful visitors that sun bears do often “look a lot like people in costumes”.
The animal expert also pointed out that the folds on the sun bear’s back weren’t because the costume was loose, but its actual function is to protect the bear from predators and allow them to “turn around” and fight back if attacked.
Various representatives of the zoo have had to come out and release statements addressing the controversy.
A spokesperson has reportedly said that the state-run facility would never intentionally deceive people, in an audio clip circulating on popular Chinese social media platform WeChat.
“Some people think I stand like a person,” read another social media post, written from the point of view of the bear.
“It seems you don't understand me very well.”
Another spokesperson for the zoo has also denied the allegations and said that a human in a fur bear suit “would not last more than a few minutes before collapsing” in the 40°C summer temperatures.
Images: Twitter / WeChat