Visitors at Hangzhou Safari Park in China’s Zhejiang province were left stunned when a black bear lunged at its keeper during a live demonstration on Saturday. The incident occurred as part of an animal behavior show, where two handlers guided bears onto a stage before one suddenly turned toward the keeper and grabbed a bag of food from him.

Footage of the event shows the keeper falling to the ground as the bear advanced, prompting panic among the audience. Other staff members quickly intervened, using chairs and poles to separate the animal and allow the keeper to escape. Neither the worker nor the bear suffered injuries.

Hours after the incident, Hangzhou Safari Park released a statement apologizing to visitors and acknowledging that the on-site response “was insufficient.” The park announced the immediate suspension of its black bear demonstrations and confirmed that the animals involved would undergo containment, evaluation, and observation to ensure their welfare.

The park added that it would review and strengthen its safety management practices to protect visitors and maintain a secure environment.

Hangzhou Safari Park is one of the region’s largest wildlife centers and is known for its animal shows, themed tours, and diverse species exhibits.