This is Not a Human Disguising as a Bear
The Claim
A Chinese zoo, Hangzhou Zoo, put one of its staff in a bear costume to attract visitors.
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Emerging story
After a video of a bear standing on its hind feet waving to the tourists at Hangzhou Zoo emerged, social media users started to accuse the zoo of putting a man in a costume to act like a bear.
The doubts basically came from the bipedal posture of the bear and the wrinkles on its lower back, which may seem like a human in an ill-fitting suit.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the claim and found it to be fake.
The bear in the video belongs to the Sun bear species which may have the same size as humans when standing.
Footage From a Chinese Zoo Shows an Actual Bear
Angela, the bear in the footage, is a four-year-old Malayan Sun bear. Animal experts say that Sun bears have a small size and can naturally stand on their hind feet just like humans.
The wrinkles on the lower back of Sun bears are naturally accumulated when they are standing upright because of their loose skin.
The Hangzhou Zoo published a post in the voice of the bear confirming that Angela is a Sun bear.
A spokenman in the Hangzhou Zoo said, “it is impossible for anyone to wear such thick fur in this hot summer. No one will bear to stand more than a few minutes before fainting out.”
Foreign Zoos Stand With The Hangzhou Zoo
Upon the disbelief of many people, a zoo in the United Kingdom, Paradise Wild Life Park, shared a clip on its Instagram account of one of its Sun bears standing, showing how Sun bears can resemble humans in the standing posture and confirming that the Sun bear in the Chinese zoo is not a human in disguise.
Another zoo in Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, shared a photo of Rotana the Sun bear, standing and also confirming it is a Sun bear.
What Are Sun Bears?
Sun bears are one of the endangered species in SouthEast Asia. They are called Sun bears because of the fur golden patches on their skins.
With 4 to 5 feet long and 60 to 150 pounds, Sun bears are the tiniest bear species in the world. They can stand on their two legs while maintaining their balance perfectly due to their body structure.
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