A viral video showing a bear attack during a circus show in China on February 13 is sparking widespread reactions on social media.
The black bear named Xiong Xiong was filmed throwing one of the performers to the ground in the middle of a performance. One of the man's colleagues then tries to free him from the animal's clutches.
According to local media, it took six employees to remove the bear and lock it in its cage.
Images of the accident circulated widely on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, where several users questioned the animal's welfare.
“This little bear looks upset. I can only imagine the abuse he suffered,” one user commented.
“Cancel animal exhibitions. It’s so sad watching them,” another person continued.
Asiatic black bears are generally smaller than those found in the Americas. At around 127 kg, females are significantly smaller than males.
The species is classified as an endangered animal according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. The Asian Animal Law Institute is also calling for a ban on shows with animals.
“Keeping animals in captivity and using them for entertainment purposes can cause stress and aggression,” the organization says on its website.
“This harms not only the animals but also the public as some of them become aggressive and can attack people,” the organization continues.
According to the New York Post