A zoo in eastern China has denied suggestions that some of its bears could be humans dressed in costumes, after video of one standing on its hind legs circulated online.
In a statement published on Sunday from the perspective of Angela, a Malaysian sun bear, zookeepers at Hangzhou zoo said: “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.”
The bizarre sighting led to accusations that it might actually be a zoo employee in disguise.
The zoo was quick to react, a spokesperson saying in an audio clip circulating WeChat that such deception would not happen at a state-run facility.
“Some people think I stand like a person,” said a posting from Hangzhou Zoo on its social media account, written from point of view of Angela, a Malaysian sun bear. “It seems you don’t understand me very well.”
