A black bear at Shoushan Zoo in Taiwan has sparked online debate after being filmed behaving remarkably human-likely, leading some to question if it was a person in a costume.
Visitors at the Kaohsiung zoo were astounded as the bear, Bobby, approached them, standing steadily on its hind legs and appearing to wave.
Bobby’s upright posture and height led to speculation that he was a human in a bear suit. However, zoo officials dismissed these claims, emphasizing that the high temperatures would make it unbearable for anyone in such a costume.
They noted, “If a person did wear a bear costume, they would be lying down within minutes due to the heat.”
This isn’t the first time such suspicions have arisen. Last year, similar doubts were cast on the authenticity of bears at Hangzhou Zoo in China, where a sun bear’s wrinkly fur and human-like behavior led many to believe it was a person in disguise.
Videos of the sun bear standing on its hind legs and attempting to catch snacks further fueled the debate, with some observers commenting on the bear’s saggy bottom and resigned demeanor.
In Taiwan, Bobby has been the subject of much speculation since 2016. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Ju confirmed back then that the zoo’s animals were genuine and not costumed individuals.
Despite this, local jokes persist, with some suggesting Bobby is more like a student worker than a real bear.
Comments like “It walks so steady on two feet, must be a working student” and “Shoushan Zoo is so outrageous, overworking students” have circulated widely.
Shoushan Zoo reiterated that Taiwanese black bears naturally stand upright and that Bobby’s behavior is typical for the species. Black bears can stand between five and seven feet tall, contributing to the confusion.
In contrast, sun bears, also mistaken for humans, are more miniature, standing up to 1.3 meters tall.
Other zoos in China have faced similar accusations. Hangzhou Zoo denied claims that their sun bear was a person in a suit, explaining that the summer heat would make such a deception impossible.
They highlighted the bear’s unique mannerisms, which resemble human actions but are entirely natural for the species.
Further adding to the controversy, other incidents have occurred where zoos were accused of disguising animals.
For instance, Yancheng Wild Animal World staff were caught wearing gorilla costumes as an April Fools’ prank in 2019, and a Cairo zoo was accused of painting a donkey to look like a zebra in 2018.
These bizarre instances continue to captivate and amuse the public, but zoo officials are adamant that their animals are genuine.
The combination of unusual animal behavior and imaginative speculation ensures that such stories remain a fascinating topic.
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