A zoo in China insists this is a bear, not a man in a bear suit
In Hangzhou city, Eastern China, a zoo has been compelled to issue a statement to counter allegations that its sun bear, known as Angela, is in fact a human dressed in a bear suit. This comes in response to a video that has circulated widely on Chinese social media, in which the bear is seen standing on its hind legs and interacting with visitors.
Many social media users pointed to the bear's upright posture and its noticeably wrinkled skin as reasons for their scepticism. The zoo, however, has firmly denied these allegations, asserting that Angela is indeed a real sun bear.
Sun bears, which are native to Southeast Asia, are the smallest species of bear and are characterised by a bright patch of fur on their chest. The species is currently listed as vulnerable due to threats from deforestation and the global wildlife trade.