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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by decadentrebel@lemmy.world to c/world@lemmy.world

A zoo in China has denied allegations that its bears are actually humans wearing elaborate costumes after images of the animals standing up on two legs went viral online. The Hangzhou Zoo in eastern China explained on its social media account on Monday that sun bears from Malaysia are smaller and look different to other ursine species, but that they are definitely real animals and not people. “Because of the way they stand, some people online question whether they are ‘humans in disguise,’” the Hangzhou Daily newspaper reported. An employee at the zoo told The Associated Press that visits were being arranged for journalists to see the bears on Monday. Other zoos have previously faced allegations of dyeing dogs’ fur to make them look like wolves and attempting to pass off painted donkeys as zebras.

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[-] ren@lemmy.world 38 points 1 year ago

We need a "Not The Onion" community lol.

[-] totallynotarobot@lemmy.world 25 points 1 year ago

Sounds like something a human in a bear costume would say.

[-] Tommy_the_Gun@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

they are definitely real animals and not people.

Nothing suspicious about that!

[-] Cynicivity@lemmy.world 22 points 1 year ago

On one hand, I highly doubt they have humans in bear costumes in this heat. On the other hand, Chinese zoos are known for purposefully mislabeling animals in their habitats, such as a Tibetan mastiff dressed like a lion, and many others.

[-] carl_dungeon@lemmy.world 17 points 1 year ago

Well, it’s China so I wouldn’t be surprised if they were, then again, this is a culture that routinely throws coins into jet engines for “luck” so… I could believe it either way. I’d believe it if it were Florida or Texas too.

[-] Rooty@lemmy.world 14 points 1 year ago
[-] jsveiga@sh.itjust.works 13 points 1 year ago

That's a ludicrous idea, why would they put humans diguised as sun bears? They're obviously racoons disguised as bears.

[-] schroedingershat@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

Ridiculous.

In reality all bears are fake. Have you seen one move? Or even worse, a shaved bear? No animal is that shape. They're all animatronics run by a secret cabal of Potoos.

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

I will have you know that bears are very real. They wear hats and ties and eat pic-a-nic baskets.

[-] Sanctus@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

I'm sorry but I don't think bear ass flesh folds like pants on a concave ass.

[-] luthis@lemmy.nz 9 points 1 year ago

It's definitely a real bear, watch the video. It's just very wierd to see it standing

[-] Sanctus@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Had me in the first half, but as soon as it catches that food you can tell its real. How tf its head look plastic in the still? Lol

[-] Pandemanium@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

It's definitely wearing shoes, whatever it is.

[-] Norgur@kbin.social 6 points 1 year ago

Wait... I'm German and even I got the joke... how little humour do the people at this zoo have?

On the other hand... why are they so eager to deny this? That's exactly how someone would behave if the jokes hit a nerve...

[-] Patrizsche@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago
[-] ArchmageAzor@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

If you've ever seen a sun bear you know it's a valid suspicion

[-] SumoBOT@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago
[-] PipedLinkBot@feddit.rocks 3 points 1 year ago

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[-] quinten@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Uhm... yes right.

this post was submitted on 31 Jul 2023
222 points (96.6% liked)

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