Sun bears made waves online when the Hangzhou Zoo had to address rumors suggesting that a bear was actually a person dressed in a costume.
Sun bears are currently enjoying their moment in the internet spotlight.
A video featuring a sun bear standing on its hind legs went viral on social media, leading a zoo in Eastern China to address online speculation that the bears might be humans donning bear costumes. The clip sparked extensive conversations online, with even Snoop Dogg offering his take.
Snoop Dogg playfully commented, “What I don’t understand is the bear don’t have a butt, so it makes me feel that this may be a human inside of a bear costume,” adding a touch of humor to the discourse.
Sun bears, recognized by the distinctive golden patch on their chests, are a vulnerable species native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, including countries such as Malaysia and Thailand. Many sun bears, often well beyond their adolescent years, can be found in various zoos across the United States.
As per the San Diego Zoo website, sun bears face challenges in breeding within zoo settings, with only four Bornean sun bear cubs successfully born and surviving in North America over the past decade—all of them at the California zoo.
Discover where you can encounter sun bears throughout the country.
Zoo Atlanta
Atlanta, Ga.
The southern zoo has two resident sun bears – Xander and Sabah. Zoo Atlanta often shares updates about their pair of bears – including how they are skilled at foraging.
San Diego Zoo
San Diego, Calif.
According to the California zoo’s website, the San Diego Zoo is home to the only four sun bears who have been born and survived in North America in the past ten years.
Audubon Zoo
New Orleans, La.
The New Orleans-based nature institute is home to sun bears. Tiba, their 26-year-old sun bear died in 2018, the zoo reported on their official Facebook page at the time.
Catoctin Wildlife Preserve
Thurmont, Md.
The Maryland animal sanctuary is home to one sun bear.
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Topeka Zoo
Topeka, Kan.
According to the Kansas preserve’s official Twitter, their sun bear born in 1989, Hoho, is the second-oldest sun bear in North America. Hoho’s twin brother, who was born an hour before, is reportedly the oldest.
El Paso Zoo
El Paso, Texas
Heliana, the Texas zoo’s only sun bear, enjoys eating watermelon and coconuts, per the El Paso Zoo’s website.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Cleveland, Ohio
The Ohio zoo houses one sun bear.
Oakland Zoo
Oakland, Calif.
Take a trip to Oakland Zoo to visit sisters Pagi and Bulan. The zoo’s website describes the former as having a “donut-shaped crest” and a “laid-back demeanor.” The latter has a “U shaped crest that is covered in black spots,” while the keepers see her as “the curious and more mischievous of the bears.”
Honolulu Zoo
Honolulu, Hawaii
Scruffy, who came from the Cleveland Zoo, joined the Honolulu Zoo in November 2022. According to the zoo’s Instagram page, she was born in Malaysia and is around 30 years old. Per the announcement post, Scruffy joined fellow sun bear and “old friend” Blackie, who left the Cleveland Zoo for Hawaii years before she did.
Mesker Park Zoo
Evansville, Ind.
The Mesker Park Zoo has one sun bear, Fong, who is 28. In 2020, he celebrated his 25th birthday with treats like carrots and a “25” carved out of fruit, per the zoo’s Facebook page.