Sun bears are causing confusion as some believe they are disguised humans.
Debate Ignites as Video of Sun Bear Goes Viral
Recently, social media was set ablaze with a heated debate surrounding a video of a sun bear at a Chinese zoo. The footage captured the bear standing on its hind legs, resembling a human. The folds on its backside gave the impression that it might actually be an employee in an elaborate costume. This intriguing sight had many social media users convinced that the creature was, in fact, a human in disguise.
“He clocking out as soon as they leave,” one user quipped.
However, according to ABC News, the zoo vehemently denied these claims. The newspaper Hangzhou Daily stated, ”Because of the way they stand, some people online question whether they are ‘humans in disguise.'” Seeking expert opinion, The Washington Examiner reached out to Dr. Bosco Chan, the conservation director of WWF-Hong Kong, to determine the authenticity of the zoo’s bears.
A Genuine Sun Bear
To the surprise of many, Dr. Chan concluded that the bear featured in the video is indeed a genuine sun bear. “From the gesture and appearance we observed from the online video, the animal is a genuine sun bear (Helarctos malayanus),” he confirmed. “It is actually not uncommon to see bears standing on their hind limbs. This is their natural behavior even in the wild.”
Addressing the peculiar folding skin on the bear’s backside, Dr. Chan attributed it to the natural aging process rather than a costume mishap. “The saggy skin—it’s most likely an old animal losing its muscle; thus, the skin is loose,” he explained.
The sun bear possesses a unique appearance, closely related to other bear species but distinct in its own right. It is roughly the size of a large dog, standing at about half the height of a grizzly bear.
A Threatened Species
Unfortunately, the sun bear has faced significant threats in recent times, primarily due to deforestation in its native Southeast Asia. “The sun bear is categorized as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List, as this species lives in the tropical rainforest of Southeast Asia, where forest destruction is rampant, particularly by industrial agriculture such as oil palm and rubber plantations,” warned Dr. Chan.
He emphasized the urgent need to protect tropical rainforests and halt the illegal trade in bear parts. “For some countries like China and Vietnam, the sun bear is extremely rare and close to extinction, so their forest habitat must be strictly protected,” he urged.
As this captivating video continues to circulate, it serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the natural habitats of endangered species like the sun bear.
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