Terrifying moment 440-pound black bear pins down and bites its trainer during a circus show after the man 'stopped it from eating treats'

A 440-pound black bear has been filmed attacking its trainer during a circus show in China after the man allegedly stopped the animal from eating treats thrown by the audience.

Terrifying footage shows the giant beast biting and tackling the tamer to the ground while other staff repeatedly hit the animal with sticks, forcing it to let go of their colleague.

The animal trainer survived without severe injuries as the bear had its teeth sawed off as a cub to prevent it from harming people, reported Chinese media.

A 440-pound black bear has been filmed attacking its trainer during a circus show in China after the man allegedly stopped the animal from eating treats thrown by the audience

The event occurred during a circus performance on Friday in Puyang, Henan province of central China.

Horrifying videos show the black bear pinning down its trainer who was struggling to escape inside the fenced stage.

A male staff member initially rushed to his colleague's rescue by hitting the animal's back and trying to force it to release the trainer.

He was then joined by another two men as they are seen striking the animal with long sticks.

The black bear launched the attack after it was beaten by its tamer who prevented it from 'eating treats', a witness said.

He told Pear Video: 'A boy threw a sausage onto the . The bear wanted to eat it, and the tamer wouldn't allow it because it's performing.'

The event occurred during a circus performance on Friday in Puyang, Henan province of central China. The animal trainer survived without severe injuries as the bear had its teeth sawed off as a cub to prevent it from harming people, according to Chinese media

WHAT ARE ASIATIC BLACK BEARS?

Asiatic black bear is also known as moon bear. 

The species is listed as Appendix I by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international agreement between governments aimed to protect endangered animals and plants.

Appendix I is the highest category for endangered species, and according to the convention, animals in the category are threatened with extinction. 

The trainer survived with minor injuries on his arm from being scratched by the bear, according to reports.

He told Henan Television that the black bear had its teeth sawed off when it was younger to prevent it from attacking people.

The circus animal, weighing 200 kilos (441 pounds), is believed to be an Asian black bear, which is classed as vulnerable to extinction with a decreasing population and listed under the second class of wildlife protection in China.

The event sparked outrage on social media as animal lovers and organisations urged authorities to axe such performances.

Wendy Higgins, director of international media at Humane Society International, told MailOnline: 'These are living, breathing animals, not props, and in such stressful conditions they can all too easily become a public safety issue too.

'When disturbing scenes such as this are witnessed in China, they are very often met with outpourings of protest by netizens via the country's social media, because calls for better animal welfare in China are growing.'

One angered commenter wrote: 'These cruel people would do anything for money. Boycott animal performances!'

Another one said: 'It had its teeth sawed? We might as well cut off people's teeth and put them in a cage.' 

Asian black bear, also known as Asiatic black bear, is classed as vulnerable to extinction with a decreasing population and listed under the second class of wildlife protection in China

The circus has been shut down following the Friday incident while being investigated by local officials, reports say.

The coronavirus pandemic has shed a light on the issue of animal welfare in China as officials scramble to establish laws to protect wildlife.

Similar events in relation to mistreatment towards zoo animals have recently been exposed by web users in the wake of the health crisis. 

A heart-wrenching video showing a captive tiger appearing to be depressed as it walked in circles non-stop inside a tiny enclosure at a Beijing zoo was revealed in April.

Another appalling video shows Chinese visitors using fishing poles to feed captive tigers in a so-called 'interactive programme' offered by a wildlife zoo in south-eastern China's Yunnan province.

ILLEGAL BEAR TRADING IN ASIA 

A caged bear is raised for bile extraction at a private restaurant in Van Dinh town, Northern province of Ha Tay, 23 November 2006

Asiatic black bear is commonly and illegally traded for their body parts throughout Asia, including Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia, according to Jill Robinson MBE, founder of the Animals Asia charity.

Asiatic black bear is also farmed in China and Vietnam for its bile, which is thought to have high medical values. 

The bear's paws, teeth and gall bladders are also desirable as traditional medicine.  

Dr Robinson said Animals Asia has worked with the authorities in China and Vietnam to rescue over 600 bears from being illegally traded.

The rescued bears now enjoy happy and healthy lives at Animals Asia's sanctuaries in both countries.