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Home> News> Animals

Updated 15:19 2 Aug 2023 GMT+1Published 15:16 2 Aug 2023 GMT+1

UK wildlife park shares another sun bear standing 'like a human' after zoo sparks debate

The clip shows the cute bear standing up, much like the viral sun bear that people have claimed is a man in a costume

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A UK wildlife park has waded into the debate following accusations that a zoo in China has been using a bloke dressed in a bear suit as a sun bear.

Yep, in case you’ve missed it - Hangzhou Zoo has hit headlines across the world due to the fact that some folk believe its sun bear Angela is actually some poor fella wearing a bear costume. Unbearlievable (sorry).

In a clip posted to Twitter, the bear appeared to have odd body proportions and weirdly sagging skin.

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The rumours were then stoked further when a video of the bear waving at visitors was shared online.

However, the zoo insists that the bear is 100 percent genuine sun bear and has issued a statement denying the claims.

Some people have suggested the bear may not be the real deal.
SHAOXIA33139500/X

In a social media post, that appeared to be written from Angel’s perspective, the zoo said: “Some people think that I am a person when I stand up… It seems that you don’t know me too well.”

And now Hertfordshire-based Paradise Wildlife Park has shared a clip of its own sun bear - named Kyra - standing up on her hind legs with the caption: “We can confirm that Kyra is a sun bear.”

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In the clip, Kyra can be seen in a similar stance to Angela as she wanders over to the camera to suss out what’s going on.

In a statement, Paradise Wildlife Park explains that the stance is a ‘natural behavior’ for ‘a greater view of their surroundings or [to] smell far-off objects’.

It added: “They also try to intimidate their enemies by displaying the chest patch if threatened.”

Angela the Sun Bear has become an internet sensation.
Twitter/@yicaichina

Now if you just read that statement and thought, ‘that’s all well and good but what about the fact that Angela’s a**e somehow looks about three sizes too big for her?’

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Another expert has confirmed to the BBC that, in her opinion, it is ‘definitely a real bear’.

Dr Ashleigh Marshall, from Chester Zoo, explained that the sun bear’s saggy skin was a defence mechanic, saying that it helps them quickly ‘turn around in their skin’ when attacked from behind.

While the wild explanation may put the rumours to rest, the animal expert did admit that the specifics often ‘look a lot like people in their costumes’.

Paradise Wildlife Park has shared a clip of its own sun bear, named Kyra.
Paradise Wildlife Park / AMAZING ANIMALS+ /TMX

Well, I never doubted you for a second, Angela.

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Whether she’s the real deal or not, she’s given a boost for the Hangzhou Zoo, with the Daily Mail reporting a 30 percent jump in visitor numbers with people eager to see the now-viral bear and learn more about the sun bear species.

Featured Image Credit: Paradise Wildlife Park / AMAZING ANIMALS+ /TMX

Topics: Animals, Viral, Weird, UK News

Claire Reid
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]

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