Chinese zoo sun bear is NOT a ‘human in disguise’: expert explains why internet sensation Angela stood up in video that sparked bizarre conspiracy theory
Angela the sun bear has left people around the world dumbfounded since the first images of the humanoid zoo animal surfaced – with fans debating whether she really is a bear or a person in a costume.
But now an expert has weighed in to explain that the bear, who lives in China’s Hanzhou Zoo, is definitely not a “human in disguise.”
Dr. Wong Siew Te, a Malaysian wildlife biologist and sun bear specialist, said he “didn’t know whether to laugh or cry” when he heard the allegations about the creature.
‘There’s no doubt it’s a sun bear. I currently have four rescue sun bears at my center and it shows that people know very little about them,” he said The mirror.
Dr. However, Wong sympathized with people mistaking Angela for a human, pointing out that zoos in China have “made up fake stuff” before.
Suspicion surrounding Angela’s humanoid ways first arose online after the sun bear was seen standing, begging for food and seemingly waving as a person might.
Dr. Wong Siew Te, a Malaysian wildlife biologist and sun bear specialist, said he “didn’t know whether to laugh or cry” when he heard the allegations about the creature.
His comment likely refers to allegations made in Chinese zoos in the past, including a reported case of a dog being mistaken for a lion in a park in Louhe, Henan, in 2013.
When Dr. Wong himself first saw a sun bear, he said, “I… was like, ‘Wow and yes, it looks like a human is wearing a bear suit,’ but this is just a sun bear and that’s what great’.
Suspicion surrounding Angela’s humanoid ways first arose online after the sun bear was seen standing, begging for food and seemingly waving as a person might.
The camera angle also showed an unflattering image of fur hanging around Angela’s rear end – making it look like a costume to many.
Now tens of millions have seen footage of the bear clumsily trying to catch food thrown into the enclosure by visitors before resigning itself to perching on a rock.
The zoo quickly dismissed claims that the animal was dressing up, insisting that such deception would not happen in a state-run zoo.
New photos show showgoers gathering to see the bear as he walks around his enclosure and snacks on a mix of fruits and veggies.
Qian Ming, one of 20,000 people who now travel a day to catch a glimpse of Angela, told local TV that he traveled 150 miles by train from Suzhou to see her.
“We traveled overnight to get here last night,” he said.
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a sun bear interacts with tourists at the Hangzhou Zoo in Hangzhou in eastern China’s Zhejiang province on Wednesday, August 2, 2023
A sun bear enjoys fruit at Hangzhou Zoo in Hangzhou, China’s Zhejiang province, Aug. 2. Angela, 4, was seen clumsily trying to catch food thrown into the clip by visitors
A bear is seen sitting on a rock at the Hangzhou Zoo, recently forced to respond to strange allegations that their sun bears were, in fact, people in costumes
Their large legs with hairless soles may look like feet, but are adapted to help them climb
Another excited visitor told a local news outlet, “After seeing this bear on the Internet, I wanted to see what it looks like in real life, so I came here.”
The Hangzhou Zoo has insisted that Angela is a real bear, explaining that sun bears can look a little different than people might expect.
A spokesman said: ‘When it comes to bears, the first thing that comes to mind is a huge figure and amazing strength.
“But not all bears are behemoths and danger personified.”
They were also careful to dismiss claims that Angela was a person in a suit, adding:
“If you let someone wear such a thick coat in this summer heat, it won’t be more than a few minutes before they have to lie down.
“We are a government-run zoo. There will never be such situations.’
Experts also weighed in on the popular clip. Dr. Ashleigh Marshall, an expert from Chester Zoo, told us the BBC that the animal is ‘definitely a real bear’.
She explained that the folds on its back, presumably evidence of an ill-fitting costume, help protect the bear from predators, as the looseness allows the bear to “turn in its own skin” and fight back if grabbed.
Others have reacted to the story with concern for the bear’s welfare.
Jason Baker, vice president of PETA Asia, said: “Sun bears are living, sentient creatures, no joke, and PETA hopes people will think about the suffering and needs of animals who spend an eternity behind bars.
‘These highly intelligent, social animals deserve to live and thrive freely in their natural environment – not to use mere spectacles for human entertainment.
PETA strongly urges Hangzhou Zoo and all similar facilities to immediately stop using sun bears or other animals for breeding purposes.
“And we’re calling on the public to support sanctuaries and nature reserves that prioritize the well-being of the animals they care for.”
A sun bear rests in a pool at Hangzhou Zoo in eastern China’s Zhejiang province, Aug. 2, as zoo visitors surge by 30 percent following the spread of a viral clip
China zoo said despite odd-looking fur and legs, ‘it’s a real animal’
The state zoo was responding to allegations that the bear (pictured) was a human in a suit
Sun bears have several features, such as a short, smooth black coat, a pale yellow crescent moon on their chest (from which they get their name), and a light-colored muzzle.
They are also known as honey bears – for their love of honey – and dog face bears…for their dog-like faces.
Their large legs with hairless soles may look like feet, but are adapted to help them climb.
Sun bears are the size of large dogs, standing up to 4 feet (1.3 meters) tall on their hind legs – much shorter than other species.