Zoo Denies Rumors of Bears Being People in Costume
A zoo in eastern China has been forced to deny rumors and conspiracy theories that some of its bears are actually people dressed in costume. The speculation began after videos of a Malayan sun bear standing on its hind legs went viral on Chinese social media.
In response to the rumors, officials from Hangzhou zoo released a statement written from the perspective of a sun bear named “Angela.” The statement emphasized that people “didn’t understand” the species and clarified that Angela is indeed a sun bear, not a black bear or a dog.
The videos, which were shared on the popular Chinese microblogging site Weibo, showed the sun bear standing upright on a rock and looking out of its enclosure. Many Weibo users pointed out the animal’s upright posture and folds of loose fur on its behind, leading to speculation that a human imposter might be masquerading in its place.
While it may sound like an implausible scenario, Chinese zoos have faced ridicule in the past for attempting to pass off pets as wild animals. In 2013, a zoo in Henan province tried to pass off a Tibetan Mastiff dog as a lion, causing shock among visitors when they heard the “lion” bark. Another zoo in Sichuan province was discovered to have a golden retriever in a cage labeled as an African lion enclosure.
Sun bears, native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, are the world’s smallest bear species. Experts say adult sun bears can stand up to 70 centimeters tall and weigh between 25 to 65 kilograms. They are known for their amber-colored crescent-shaped fur patches on their chests and their long tongues, which help them extract honey from bee hives. However, their numbers in the wild are declining due to poaching and deforestation.
Conservation groups like the World Wildlife Fund and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center have reported a 35% decline in sun bear populations over the past three decades. As a result, sun bears are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The Hangzhou zoo hopes that by addressing the rumors and educating the public about sun bears, they can put an end to the speculation and focus on the conservation efforts needed to protect these endangered animals.
What steps are the Hangzhou zoo taking to raise awareness about the endangered sun bears
Zoo Officials Deny Rumors of Bears Being People in Disguise
In a bizarre turn of events, a zoo in eastern China has been forced to refute rumors and conspiracy theories claiming that some of its bears are actually humans dressed up in bear costumes. The speculation arose after videos of a Malayan sun bear standing on its hind legs went viral on Chinese social media.
Faced with the mounting rumors, authorities from Hangzhou zoo took an unconventional approach by releasing a statement written from the perspective of a sun bear named “Angela.” The statement aimed to address the misunderstanding, emphasizing that Angela is indeed a sun bear, and not a black bear or a dog.
The videos, originally shared on the popular Chinese microblogging site Weibo, featured the sun bear standing upright on a rock, observing its enclosure. Some eagle-eyed Weibo users pointed out the animal’s upright posture and folds of loose fur near its hindquarters, leading to speculations of a human imposter impersonating the bear.
While this may sound like an implausible scenario, Chinese zoos have faced ridicule in the past for attempting to pass off pets as wild animals. In a 2013 incident, a zoo in Henan province sparked outrage when it tried to pass off a Tibetan Mastiff dog as a lion, only for the dog to reveal itself by barking. Similarly, a zoo in Sichuan province was caught red-handed having a golden retriever in a cage labeled as an African lion enclosure.
Sun bears, indigenous to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, hold the title of the world’s smallest species of bears. Experts assert that adult sun bears can measure up to 70 centimeters tall and weigh between 25 to 65 kilograms. They are distinguished by their amber-colored crescent-shaped fur patches on their chests and their long tongues, which aid them in extracting honey from bee hives. Despite their unique qualities, sun bears face a decline in their population in the wild due to poaching and deforestation.
Various conservation groups including the World Wildlife Fund and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center have expressed alarm over the 35% decline in sun bear populations witnessed over the past three decades. Consequently, sun bears have been classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
In an effort to quell the rumors and raise awareness about these endangered animals, the Hangzhou zoo hopes that addressing the speculation head-on and educating the public about sun bears will allow them to shift their focus to the necessary conservation efforts required to protect these remarkable creatures.
