This is the moment a bear turned on his ringmaster and pinned him to the ground in front of shocked spectators during a circus show in China.
The animal, named Xiong Xiong, made its unexpected move last Tuesday during a show at a circus in the city of Huzhou.
The video shows the bear and two performers on stage in the middle of an act when the animal decides to do so knocking one of the performers to the ground.
The second man rushes in to help his colleague break free from the beast’s powerful grip, with the video ending with the second man trying to pull the bear away.
Chinese media reported that it took six circus workers to rescue the artist and place the bear in its cage, as stunned spectators watched in awe.
The male Asiatic black bear can weigh as much as 30 stone; females are about 20 stone
The Asiatic black bear (Ursus Thibetanus), also known as the white-breasted bear, is a medium-sized bear native to Asia.
Females are considerably smaller than males, weighing around 20 stone.
It’s far from the first time a Chinese circus performer has been attacked by a bear during a show – and compared to previous incidents, the man in the video got off relatively lightly.
In December, a smaller black bear riding on roller skates suddenly lost control, poking and biting one of its handlers.
An eyewitness, who attended the show with a child, described the bear’s first lap on a balancing scooter as normal, but on the second lap he made the unexpected attack.
The staff managed to restrain the bear and moments later it let go of the handler’s leg and turned its attention to popcorn on the ground.
After the bear finished its improvised snack, the handler, apparently injured, managed to successfully guide the bear off the stage.
On December 11, a spokesperson for the area where the circus is located assured that the animal trainer was examined in hospital and did not suffer any serious injuries.
They emphasized the accidental nature of the incident, noting that the trainer had bite marks without bleeding.
The spokesperson hinted at the possible reconsideration of such achievements in the future, recognizing the need to prioritize safety.
The Institute for Animal Law in Asia calls for a ban on animals in circus performances.
They say, ‘KeePinging captive animals and using them for entertainment can cause stress and aggression.
‘Many wild animals used in circuses live in family groups in the wild.
“In addition to having an unnatural environment with other incompatible animals and an unnatural environment – confined in four walls – they are treated with violence and intimidation that leads to stress in animals.
The circus artist was left on stage without any significant injuries after the incident
“Not only does it harm the animals themselves, but it also impacts public safety because some animals go crazy and injure or kill people.”
Asiatic black bears are irislisted as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
They are especially threatened by deforestation and poaching for their body parts, which are used in traditional medicine.
Despite being endangered, they are still the most common bear in Asia.