The story of a Chinese family who adopted what they believed was a Tibetan mastiff puppy, only to find out two years later that it was actually an Asiatic black bear, has resurfaced and gone viral once again.
The incident happened in 2016 when Su Yun, who lives in a remote village in Yunnan Province, bought the animal while on vacation.
At first, the animal’s insatiable appetite was the only strange thing about it, but as it grew, so did its resemblance to a bear.
Su Yun really started to wonder about her “dog” when she noticed the animal’s knack for walking on two legs, but when it reached 250 pounds and started getting even bigger, she became increasingly alarmed and called authorities to come take a look at it.
It turned out that Su Yun’s pet was indeed an Asiatic black bear that had been living in her home for two years, which is a naturally wild animal and vulnerable species.
Once authorities confirmed its identity, the bear was tranquilized and taken to the Yunnan Wildlife Rescue, where it was reported to be living a healthy life.
Asiatic black bears are classified as vulnerable because their populations are declining due to habitat loss and poaching. It is essential that people understand the importance of preserving these species and take steps to ensure their protection, as the woman did when she realized what it was.
Asiatic black bears are medium-sized bears, with males being larger than females. Adult males typically weigh between 220 to 440 pounds, while females weigh between 143 to 220 pounds.
They can grow to be up to 6 feet in length, with a shoulder height of up to 3.3 feet. Despite their size, Asiatic black bears are excellent climbers and can easily climb trees to forage or escape danger. They have a long lifespan, with some individuals living up to 30 years in captivity.