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Footage shows the moment a captive bear snapped and attacked its trainer after being manhandled while being forced to perform in China.
The animal, reportedly named Xiong Er, was one in all two Asian black bears made to ride hoverboards on their hind legs for a display at Hangzhou Safari Park in Zhejiang province on Saturday.
They were seen twirling on the self-balancing electric scooters before zipping across the performance area, each with a trainer guiding them.
At one point, Xiong Er was led off his hoverboard and around the back of a central stage area.
He appeared to struggle to maintain pace on his hind feet, but his trainer kept a firm grip on one in all his front paws and continued to pull him into position.
Because the trainer turned him around, placed one other hand on him and commenced to make him start backpedalling, the bear then lashed out.
Footage shows Xiong Er swiping along with his claws before tackling the trainer to the bottom and holding on.
Other staff are seen briefly attempting to tug the bear off before giving up and resorting to hitting him with objects.
Eventually the bear was carried backstage and the show was called off.
Park managers said neither the trainer nor Xiong Er were injured.
The trainer, named in reports as Zhou Jiazhen, later claimed the bear – whom he trained from a young age – didn’t intend to harm him and was simply attempting to get at a bag of carrots he had on him.
‘If it really desired to attack, I wouldn’t be standing here now,’ he told the Associated Press news agency.
Nonetheless, Xiong Er has been moved to a distinct a part of the park, which has suspended all so-called ‘demonstrations’ involving Asian black bears.
It said in an announcement: ‘Although neither the trainer nor the animal was injured, our on-site response was insufficient, causing an unpleasant experience for visitors. We sincerely apologise for this.
‘We may also provide comfort and conduct observations for the animals involved to make sure their well-being.
‘At the identical time, we are going to thoroughly review shortcomings and make improvements to strengthen management and emergency response. We express our sincere gratitude to all residents for his or her concern and support.’
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