China’s Hangzhou Zoo Addresses Claim That Their Bears Are Actually Humans Dressed in Costumes

What are the bear requirements for a zoo? Having genuine animals.

However, China’s Hangzhou Zoo recently had to prove that their Malayan sun bears are. Indeed Malayan sun bears after rumors circulated that the animals were humans disguised in costumes. This clarification was required after a video showing one of the zoo’s bears standing on what appeared to be fairly slender rear legs went popular on social media.

“Some people think I stand like a person,” the zoo claimed on July 31 in a statement written by Angela, the sun bear in question, according to the Associated Press. “It appears you don’t fully comprehend what I’m saying.”

In defending its bears, the zoo also cleared up some myths regarding how the creatures differ between species.

“When it comes to bears, the first thing that comes to mind is a huge figure and amazing power,” the note said. “However, not all bears are colossal menaces. We Malayan bears are the world’s smallest bears.”

What are the bear requirements for a zoo? Having genuine animals.

Sun bears are approximately 50 inches tall (about 4 feet) on their hind legs and weigh between 55 and 143 pounds, whereas other bears, such as the grizzly bear, can weigh over 600 pounds and stand at 84 inches (7 feet).

A zoo official batted down the rumors even further, noting in a voice message received by The Guardian that such a “deception would not happen at a state-run facility.” They also emphasized the con’s practical issues, saying that a person dressed as a bear “would not last more than a few minutes before collapsing” in China’s 100-degree summer heat.

When judging the bear’s veracity, many Twitter users felt qualified.

“Can’t blame them given the human-looking feet and the mouth remaining open,” one user commented on the video, “but if you look closely, you can see small movements in the bear’s lips.” For the performer to achieve that, the mask must be extremely smart.”

Others were eager to dismiss human plots. Someone tweeted, “That’s a real bear, dude,” while another commented, “Looks nothing like a human dressed up.”

Some commenters, however, admitted that the footage of the bear standing requires a second look.

“Looks very real to me when sat down,” one person said, “but standing up, it looks human being so skinny for a bear.” Wow! I had to look hard.”

SOURCE – (AP)