Polar bears at the Novosibirsk Zoo experienced a moment of fright during Children’s Day festivities when they encountered an animator dressed in a brown bear costume. The incident was captured on video by a local resident.

The presence of the costumed animator near their enclosure startled the polar bears, named Belka and Strelka, who initially sought refuge. Curiosity eventually overcame their fear, leading one of the bears to cautiously approach the edge of their pool to observe the unfamiliar figure.

The Children’s Day celebration at the R.A. Shilo Zoo in Novosibirsk featured various forms of entertainment, including the invited animators.

Prior to this incident, playful behavior was observed among the Ussuri bear cubs at the same zoo, where they were filmed engaging in a mock fight within their pool.