ALBAWABA - A video circulating on social media stirred debate after capturing a black bear attacking a keeper after a performance at Hangzhou Safari Park in China.
Several of the Safari Park's staff quickly intervened and de-escalated the situation by using props such as a basketball hoop to separate the bear from the worker.
According to Global Times China, Hangzhou Safari Park's official social media account released a statement which outlined that neither the keeper nor the bear was injured. The statement added that the incident occurred because the keeper was carrying a bag of apples and carrots, which "excited" the bear.
Terrifying video: Bear attacks its keeper at a safari park in China
The keeper said that the situation reminded him to be more careful around bears in future interactions. The terrifying video sparked a wide variety of reactions on social media, with many local netizens debating whether animal performances should be banned in China.
A social media user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "When a zoo animal attacks its "keeper" the only reason is because the "keeper" has treated the animal cruelly."
Another added, "animals are not entertainment. when will the world stop imprisoning animals for such consumption?"
According to Global Times, one user on social media wrote, "A small bear is like a little baby. How could we make it perform?"
They stated further, "If it has apples, let it eat! If it were your child, would you make it perform first and then eat? If it's hungry, then let it perform how to eat, it would be happier, the keeper and the bear would be more harmonious, and the audience would still enjoy it."
