Russians Make Bears Iceskate

[holy king]

Pictured: Shocking photos of bears forced to ice skate for viewers' entertainment in a Russian circus

Thanks to animal rights groups, the use of animals in circuses in the UK is now considered so controversial that most troupes won't risk including them in their shows.

But unfortunately the same can't be said for circuses in Russia who use animals frequently in their shows and force them to learn skills and perform for viewers' entertainment.

These shocking new photographs taken in Jihlava, Czech Republic, show brown bears being trained to figure skate and play ice hockey as part of the Russian Ice Circus' touring show.

Spoiler :

The bears are also made to perform routines which include handstands and other difficult gymnastic positions.

The muzzles the creatures are forced to wear, clamping their mouths shut in a bid to reduce any chance of trainers' injury, are a harsh reminder of the cruelty of using animals in circuses.

However the muzzles were not strong enough to contain one particular bear, who last month lashed out at his handlers and circus staff before a performance of The Russian State Circus Company's Bears on Ice show in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Circus director Dmitry Potapov was dragged across the ice rink by the five-year-old animal, causing severe injuries which led to the 25-year-old's tragic death.

A witness said the bear 'tore his neck and legs to pieces'.

Circus employee Yevgeny Popov who attempted to rescue Mr Potapov as he was being mauled by the bear was also severely injured at the scene.

'The victim has sustained serious injuries - deep scalp lacerations, bruising of the brain, lacerations on his body. His condition is considered critical,' said local medic Dr Gulnara Tashibekova.

The bear was later shot dead by local police.

This wasn't the first incident of a Russian bear killing a human.

In 2002 a bear on loan to the Bishkek City Zoo from Russia killed a small child who simply reached out to pet it.

Experts later blamed its behaviour on severe malnourishment.

animal cruelty or too awesome to be outraged about?

 

[Harvin87]

I don't know, but that bear holding a stick looks awesome

 

[REDY]

After Czech tour it should be banned to have exclusive photos.

 

[ParkCungHee]

Best use the Russians have made of bears since Bear Cavalry.

 

[Phlegmak]

Spoiler :

The bears are also made to perform routines which include handstands and other difficult gymnastic positions.

The muzzles the creatures are forced to wear, clamping their mouths shut in a bid to reduce any chance of trainers' injury, are a harsh reminder of the cruelty of using animals in circuses.

However the muzzles were not strong enough to contain one particular bear, who last month lashed out at his handlers and circus staff before a performance of The Russian State Circus Company's Bears on Ice show in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Circus director Dmitry Potapov was dragged across the ice rink by the five-year-old animal, causing severe injuries which led to the 25-year-old's tragic death.

A witness said the bear 'tore his neck and legs to pieces'.

Circus employee Yevgeny Popov who attempted to rescue Mr Potapov as he was being mauled by the bear was also severely injured at the scene.

'The victim has sustained serious injuries - deep scalp lacerations, bruising of the brain, lacerations on his body. His condition is considered critical,' said local medic Dr Gulnara Tashibekova.

The bear was later shot dead by local police.

This wasn't the first incident of a Russian bear killing a human.

In 2002 a bear on loan to the Bishkek City Zoo from Russia killed a small child who simply reached out to pet it.

Experts later blamed its behaviour on severe malnourishment.

animal cruelty or too awesome to be outraged about?

Cruelty. Extreme cruelty.

 

[Bill3000]

Thanks to animal rights groups, the use of animals in circuses in the UK is now considered so controversial that most troupes won't risk including them in their shows.

Yet another reason why Britain sucks.

 

[warpus]

That bear looks confused.

 

[Harvin87]

that bear could be anyone wearing a costume tough

 

[vesley1987]

The ice hockey bear is awesome.

 

[joycem10]

Ovechkin? Is that you Ovie?

The bear probably does a great job mucking it up on the boards.

 

[Ecofarm]

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- A bear on ice skates attacked two people during rehearsals at a circus in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, killing one of them, Kyrgyz officials said Friday.

In the incident, which happened Thursday, the 5-year-old animal killed the circus administrator, Dmitry Potapov, and mauled an animal trainer, who was attempting to rescue him.

"The incident occurred during a rehearsal by the Russian state circus company troupe which was performing in Bishkek with the program, Bears on Ice," Ministry of Culture and Information director Kurmangazy Isanayev told reporters.

It is unclear what caused the bear to attack Potapov, 25, nearly severing one of his legs while dragging him across the ice by his neck. Medical personnel were unable to save Potapov, who died at the scene.

The 29-year-old circus trainer Yevgeny Popov, who attempted to rescue Potapov, was also severely injured, according to doctors.

"The victim has sustained serious injuries - deep scalp lacerations, bruising of the brain, lacerations on his body. His condition is considered critical," Dr. Gulnara Tashibekova told reporters on Russian state television.

After the incident, the circus was cordoned off by police and emergency service workers. Experts have been brought in to examine the bear, which was shot and died at the scene.

Russia has a long-standing tradition of training bears to perform tricks such as riding motorcycles, ice skating, and playing hockey. Fatal attacks are unusual.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/23/russia.skating.bear.death/index.html

I guess they don't like it.

The article is from Oct. 23, when are the photos from... that could be the killer.

 

[bhsup]

Cruelty. Extreme cruelty.

That pretty much sums it up. Can't say I blame the bears for striking back.

 

[Quackers]

I love that Hockey bear's little legs its so funneh

 

[Huayna Capac357]

I dunno about cruel, maybe.

Awesome looking though.

 

[SuperBeaverInc.]

That bear should be a #1 draft pick

Also, is that guy wearing a Flames jersey? Clearly the Flames are already scouting him!

 

[Aegis]

The bear was later shot dead by local police.

Why is it that we always put down animals that wind up acting like nature intended? Especially when their reaction is so predictable & warranted.

I love that Hockey bear's little legs its so funneh

How the heck did they manage to get their feet into those skates? It looks painful to me.

 

[Theige]

4 v 4 BEAR HOCKEY, must be overtime


Link to video.

 

[Darth_Pugwash]

Cruelty. Extreme cruelty.

Yes, this is cruelty.

 

[Quackers]

How the heck did they manage to get their feet into those skates? It looks painful to me.

Aye good point.

If they are hurting the bears obviously it should be stopped - but they look alright nice shiny coats and such and they seem to be fit and healthy so let it be.

 

[Heretic_Cata]

How the heck did they manage to get their feet into those skates? It looks painful to me.

I'm surprised only one person noticed that.

How the heck do you get these:

Into skate shoes ?