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Sun bears at Hangzhou Zoo: at the center of attention
Photo: STR / AFP
It was probably the strangest denial of the past few days: A zoo in Hangzhou, China, had denied that its sun bears were people in disguise. Previously, a video of a bear had caused a stir on social media – the animal appeared to be standing exceptionally upright.
Now experts have also spoken out – and agreed with the zoo. The animal in the video was "certainly a sun bear," biologist and founder of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Malaysia Wong Siew Te told NBC. Sun bears could be "very human-like".
Ashleigh Marshall of the Chester Zoo also told the BBC that it was "definitely a real bear". Regarding the wrinkles on the animal's back, she said that this is a normal her. The wrinkles help the bears to protect themselves from predators, because the loose skin allows them to "turn in their skin" and defend themselves.
»We sun bears are petite, the smallest bears in the world«
The zoo itself had said in a statement from the perspective of the bear Angela that the sun bears were smaller than other bears and looked different, but were real. According to the Guardian, it said, among other things: "When you think of bears, the first thing that comes to mind is a huge figure and incredible power." But not all bears are "monsters". And further: "We sun bears are petite, the smallest bears in the world."
More on the subject
Viral video:Chinese zoo denies a bear is a costumed human
The zoo in Hanghzou seems to benefit from the debate and worldwide media coverage: According to »Today.com«, the number of visitors has increased by 30 percent – because people want to see Angela with their own eyes.
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