Bear Who Spent Most Of His Life In The Circus Enjoys A Shower In The Sun

An elderly bear who spent most of his life in the circus has been filmed enjoying a shower in the sun shower following his 'retirement'.

Toshka spent 25 years working in a circus, performing tricks for the public, but was recently moved to a sanctuary in Satanov in Ukraine for 'rehabilitation and life support'.

A staff member said that when the bear first arrived at the sanctuary he was terrified of humans and stayed hidden, but has since got comfortable in his new home and now likes to sit down in the sun 'for hours'.

In a clip filmed last month, the bear can be seen sat on the grass in the sunshine while water is sprayed onto him. He can be seen scratching his leg and licking at the water as it falls on him, cooling him down.

Temperatures can be as high as 35C in Ukraine, so it's likely that the cooling water was a relief to the bear.

A member of staff who looks after Toshka said having a shower in the sun was his 'favourite pastime', which I reckon you can probably tell from the adorable clip.

They added: "Most of his life he was a circus bear, and he was transferred by the last owner to us for rehabilitation and life support."

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Heartbreakingly, they also said Toshka was so scared of humans after spending so many years at the circus that he hid in the bushes and refused to come out for two weeks.

They said: "A month ago, we transported him and three other bears. Toshka was very afraid of people: he didn't leave the bushes for two weeks.

"Care and attention melted his heart. Now his favourite pastime is to shower in the sun. He takes a sitting position and is ready to sit for hours."

Here's hoping Toshka has a happy retirement, eh?

Last year, at a circus in Russia, a bear that was forced to perform on a skateboard attacked its handlers during a show.

The bear could be seen being beaten with sticks by its keepers, as horrified members of the audience started to scream.

Speaking about the incident, Anastasia Mishcherina said: "My relatives and their little son went to the show.

"They sat in the front row, when they announced the performance of a 'bear-visionary' or something of that kind. My relatives wanted to take a video and went closer to the exit.

"Even on video it is clear that the animal was nervous. Reluctantly slipping off the ramp, the animal wanted to leave, but he was pulled back.

"Perhaps he realised that another flogging was waiting for him, and he decided to attack first."

Topics: World News, Animals

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19