Experts have also weighed in on the viral video.
A zoo in China has denied suggestions that its captive bears are actually people in costumes after a video of the animals standing like humans went viral.
In response to a clip of a rare sun bear standing on its hind legs at the enclosure, Hangzhou Zoo said people “don’t understand” the species.
Some people questioned how the bear was able to stand upright on its thin legs. Others pointed out the animal’s “baggy” behind, which suggested it was someone in a costume.
A video of a “human-like” black #bear ?at #Hangzhou Zoo went viral! But the zoo staff denies it’s a person in disguise—too hot to bear! #animal pic.twitter.com/47y9VzslYQ
— Shanghai Daily (@shanghaidaily) July 31, 2023
In a statement published on Sunday a spokesperson for Hangzhou Zoo said from the perspective of one of the bears: “Some people think I stand like a person… It seems you don’t understand me very well.”
“When it comes to bears, the first thing that comes to mind is a huge figure and amazing power… But not all bears are behemoths and danger personified. We Malayan bears are petite, the smallest bear in the world.”
It was also noted by the zoo that in the 40C temperature of the area, a human in a fur bear suit “would not last more than a few minutes before collapsing.”
Bears in viral video “definitely” real
Getting their name from the characteristic cream patch on their chests, sun bears can grow to around 70cm at the shoulder and usually weigh around 25–65 kg. The species is native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and is listed as vulnerable, with their population declining over the last few decades.
Dr Ashleigh Marshall, an expert from Chester Zoo, told the BBC that the animal in the video is “definitely a real bear” and can often “look a lot like people in their costumes”.
Dr Marshall also explained that the loose folds of flesh that internet users seemed perplexed by are actually very important and allows the bear to “turn around in their skin” and fight back if a predator were to attack.
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