China zoo denies human-bear disguise rumors

A zoo in eastern China has been denying claims that its bears are actually people dressed in costumes, following a viral video showing a Malayan sun bear standing on its hind legs like a human.

The amazing sun bear

The zoo, located in Zhejiang province, asserts that the bear is indeed a real sun bear, just slightly smaller and different from other bear species.

The video, posted on Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok), attracted widespread attention and speculation, with some suggesting the bear might be a disguised human due to its behavior and fur folds resembling ill-fitting clothing.

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However, wildlife experts, including Wong Siew Te, confirmed that the animal is a sun bear, known for their human-like standing and walking tendencies.

Despite the denial, the incident has drawn attention to the endangered status of sun bears, whose population has declined by over 30% in the past 30 years.

Conservationists hope the incident will raise awareness of the threats they face, such as deforestation and hunting.

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Animal rights group PETA used this opportunity to advocate for the relocation of zoo animals to sanctuaries and wildlife reserves to prioritize their well-being and natural habitat.