Sun bears in Chinese zoo are humans? Here's what authorities have said

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

sun bears might be humans dressed in bear costumes, after a video of a bear standing on its hind legs sparked speculation online. The zookeepers released a statement from the perspective of Angela, a Malaysian sun bear, emphasizing that not all bears are large and menacing, and that sun bears are actually petite, being the smallest bear species in the world, according to reports. The video led to suggestions that the bear might be a person in a bear costume due to its slender legs and fur folds resembling a human. However, the zoo spokesperson refuted these claims, asserting that the bear in the video is real and that there is no deception happening at the state-run facility. He pointed out that a human wearing a bear suit in the scorching 40°C (104°F) summer temperature would not be able to last more than a few minutes before collapsing. To dispel further doubts, the zoo is arranging visits for reporters to witness the bears firsthand. Sun bears are relatively small, comparable in size to large dogs, standing at a maximum of 1.3 meters (50 inches) tall on their hind legs, unlike larger bear species such as grizzlies, which can reach up to 2.8 meters in height.

Q1. Are the bears in Hangzhou zoo real animals or humans in costumes? A1. The bears in Hangzhou zoo are unequivocally real animals. The zookeepers have firmly refuted all claims suggesting that the bears might be humans dressed in costumes. The video circulating online showcasing a sun bear standing on its hind legs is authentic footage of the real animal.Q2. Why do some people believe the bears might be humans in disguise? A2. Some individuals have speculated that the bears might be humans in costumes due to the bear's slender legs and fur folds, which they