Bear costume-wearing person gives Japanese zoo visitors a frightful experience
Visitors to the Chiba Zoological Park in Japan were in for a scare as a person dressed in a life-like bear costume ran wild in the park, simulating an animal escape.
The act, which was meant to be exhilarating and educational for the visitors, soon turned into a nail-biting chase scene led by the bear-costumed person and zoo workers. Visitors were seen fleeing the scene in fear as the creature ran around, sending park guests and workers into a frenzy.
While the zoo management team had organized the activity to educate visitors on emergency protocols during a wild animal escape, the result was far from what was expected. Perhaps, they underestimated the power of a realistic bear costume and how close it came to simulating a real animal escape.
Witnesses recount feeling a sense of panic as the bear made its way to different parts of the zoo. They recall hearing zoo workers shouting, trying to get the bear back into its enclosure. The whole ordeal lasted for a nerve-wracking thirty minutes, a source disclosed.
This is not the first time a Japanese zoo has taken on a real-life animal escape drill, but certainly, it is the first time it took such a terrifying turn. Even though it was all meant to be a training exercise and presented as such, the manner in which the exercise played out sent people running for their lives.
The ethical question to pose is whether such exercises should be carried out, especially when it puts visitors in danger. If the objective of such drills is to educate people, is the thrill that comes with it worth the safety of the visitors?
The psychological impact of such an experience on children cannot be overlooked. The memories of running from a wild animal are undoubtedly traumatic. While some argue that it’s all in good fun, others say it’s a severe case of animal cruelty. The bear was clearly distressed, as displayed in its erratic movements and aggression towards zoo workers.
Despite the ongoing debate, the zoo has refused to apologize, and are instead advocating for such drills, saying that they serve as great learning experiences for everyone. According to the zoo management team, such drills help them assess their emergency plans and identify weak areas.
Perhaps the initiative was a great idea in theory, but failed woefully in practice. The novelty of experiencing a close encounter with an animal is not meant to be traumatizing or life-threatening. Instead, it should leave visitors with a sense of awe and appreciation for nature and the beauty of the animal kingdom.
In conclusion, while the intentions behind the simulation were noble, it is critical to evaluate the methods used for such emergency drills. Visitors should never feel like their lives are in danger while visiting a zoo. A compromise between thrill and safety should be reached if such exercises are to continue, ensuring that visitors are kept safe while still getting the full experience.
