Are those bears at a Chinese zoo actually humans dressed up in costumes? That’s what some social media users have been speculating after a video of a black sun bear from Hangzhou Zoo went viral. The bear’s unique stance and appearance as it stands on its hind legs have sparked curiosity and conspiracy theories. But the zoo has stepped up to address these rumors and set the record straight.
According to zoo officials, the bear in question is Angela, a sun bear, not a person in disguise. The zoo was forced to confront the strange rumors and even released a statement from Angela’s perspective. “Let me reiterate again to everyone that I am a sun bear – not a black bear, not a dog – a sun bear!” the statement emphasized.
The confusion about Angela being mistaken as a person in a bear costume may stem from the fact that sun bears have certain human-like characteristics. They have a straight back and folds of loose fur on their backside, which can give the impression of a person wearing a costume.
However, the truth is that sun bears are the tiniest of all bear species, and their appearance differs from the typical image of bears that we often have in mind. They are petite and agile creatures, adapted to their forest environment. Unfortunately, due to illegal hunting and deforestation, the population of Malayan sun bears like Angela has declined by 35% in the past three decades.
To shed more light on the mysterious behavior of sun bears standing on their hind legs, wildlife biologist Wong Siew Te explained that it is a natural behavior for sun bears to reach higher ground and investigate their surroundings. Female sun bears even hold their cubs with both hands while walking on their feet, exhibiting remarkably human-like characteristics.
As intriguing as the viral video may be, the zoo representatives have pointed out a simple fact to debunk the theory of a human in a massive fur suit – the scorching summer heat in China would make it impossible for a person to survive in such a costume.
This unusual tale of the “human-like” sun bear has captivated people all over the world, bringing attention to the fascinating and vulnerable species. Sun bears, despite their small size, play an essential role in their ecosystem and deserve our care and protection.
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The sun bear is a relatively unknown and forgotten species. Share this story with your friends and help raise awareness about these incredible creatures facing threats to their survival. Together, we can make a difference in preserving the diversity of our natural world.
