China zoo offers US$15,000 annual salary for bear costume performer with strict silence clause

A recruitment from a zoo in central China seeking individuals to pose as black bears, offering an annual salary of 100,000 yuan (US$15,000), has gone viral on social media, generating a wave of humorous responses among internet users.Luohe-wildlife-zoo" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="150831" data-entity-type="organization">Luohe Wildlife Zoo, located in Luohe city in Henan province, posted the job ad on June 13, looking to hire people to wear black bear costumes, roam the zoo, and interact with visitors, according to Jiupai News.It is unclear if the costumes come with fans or ventilation systems, as the ad describes them only as “soft.”Luohe-wildlife-zoo" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="150831" data-entity-type="organization">Luohe Wildlife Zoo’s recruitment for individuals to don black bear costumes, offering an annual salary of 100,000 yuan (US$15,000), has gone viral on social media. Photo: BaiduThere are no gender restrictions for applicants, but they must be physically fit and at least 18 years old.The role involves six-hour shifts, with four days off each month.While engaging with tourists, these “bear players” are not allowed to speak but can produce a purring sound, except in cases when help is needed or emergencies arise.Candidates are expected to be easy-going about food, as they must accept any refreshments offered by visitors.“It’s the freest position in our zone. If you’re tired, you can just lie down and daydream. If you’re feeling energetic, you can jump, dance, climb trees, or even catch fish. Do whatever feels comfortable,” the stated.Visitors observe bears at a zoo in Zhongshan, where these animals are major crowd-pleasers. Photo: ZsbtvThe job is deemed suitable for both extroverts and introverts, since bear performers are not required to communicate verbally with guests.“You can act in the most nonsensical ways. The more bizarre, the more popular you’ll be,” the ad emphasised.The zoo reported that all positions were filled within a few days, although it did not disclose the total number of hires, as over 100 applicants responded to the call.A spokesperson for the zoo told New Weekly that those who gain social media fame could earn more than the base salary of 100,000 yuan per year.Further Reading“This could represent a unique job opportunity for young people and help our zoo explore new avenues for revenue,” said the unnamed spokesperson.The zoo, which is backed by local government investment, opened its doors in early May.A female brown bear stands amid a forest backdrop. The estimated population of brown bears in China is around 5,000 to 6,000 individuals. Photo: ShutterstockUsers on mainland social media have been captivated by this quirky story.“It’s not an easy job. Summers in Henan can be quite hot, and imagine wearing that costume!” remarked one netizen.“No talking during work hours? I doubt many people can stick to that rule, haha,” joked another.A concerned commenter added: “It’s a creative concept, but I worry it might make children less afraid of wild animals.”