Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Hangzhou Safari Park Cancels Black-Bear Shows After Caretaker Attacked Onstage

Viral visitor videos prompted a swift apology accompanied by a pledge to tighten safety.

Overview

  • The December 6 incident unfolded during a demonstration at Hangzhou Safari Park when a black bear lunged at a keeper to snatch a bag of food.
  • Staff intervened with chairs and poles after the keeper fell, and the bear tried to lunge again before being contained.
  • The park said on Weibo that neither the keeper nor the bear was injured and acknowledged its on-site response was not sufficient.
  • Management canceled all black-bear demonstrations and placed the animals under containment, evaluation, and observation.
  • The videos spread widely on Chinese social media, intensifying scrutiny of commercial animal shows, as a staff member attributed the behavior to the bear’s strong focus on food.