The tragic case of the headbanging bear: Kids watch on as distressed zoo animal shows signs of mental stress

  • Distressing video footage shows a bear in a zoo headbanging
  • Its abnormal repetitive movements are likely due to stereotypy
  • The behaviour is often due to mental stress

By Ryan Lipman

Published: 09:12 EST, 7 June 2014 | Updated: 10:43 EST, 7 June 2014


Scenes of a bear appearing to play jovially with children behind a glass window at a zoo are likely to be disturbing signs of the psychological stress being experienced by the animal.

A Japanese video of the bear's behaviour shows the animal intermittently bouncing on it's front legs and headbanging for periods of up to about 20 seconds.

The footage starts with a group of young children peering into an enclosure through a large glass window. Seconds later the bear starts the bouncing action and forcefully shaking its head up and down for close to 20 seconds.

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A bear in a zoo enclosure was filmed headbanging and bouncing on its front legs - possible signs of stereotypy

A bear in a zoo enclosure was filmed headbanging and bouncing on its front legs - possible signs of stereotypy

Repetitive behaviours such as pacing and rocking are often signs of stereotypy, generally caused by mental stress

Repetitive behaviours such as pacing and rocking are often signs of stereotypy, generally caused by mental stress


With the children mimicking the action, it appears as if the bear is interacting with the children through the glass.

But unbeknown to the kids is the seriousness of the bear's actions, likely a sign of stereotypy, a condition sometimes seen in animals kept in captivity that involves repetitive actions and signals underlying distress.

 

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Rather than the bear reacting to the children, the repetitive behaviour could be a sign of physcological or mental issues.

Soon after the group of children step away from the glass, only for the bear to repeat the same motions for about another 10 seconds and at this point, the children rush back towards the animal.

The abnormal behaviour is common among captive animals including those at zoos such as elephants

The abnormal behaviour is common among captive animals including those at zoos such as elephants

Animals kept in small enclosures and not able to complete natural activities are more prone to the condition

Animals kept in small enclosures and not able to complete natural activities are more prone to the condition

In the next second sequence of video, the bear again repeats the bouncing movement in two bursts of about 10 seconds.

With the group of children at the window, as they tap on the glass with papers, the bear appears to strike at them.

This is followed by two more bursts of about five seconds.

The children in the footage mimic the bear's behaviour, unaware of it is likely to be suffering a form of mental stress

The children in the footage mimic the bear's behaviour, unaware of it is likely to be suffering a form of mental stress

Humans can also experience stereotypy

Humans can also experience stereotypy

While humans can also experience stereotypy, it is an abnormal behaviour common among captive animals including those at zoos. 

It is often a result of small enclosures and the animals not being able to complete natural activities.

While often signs can be rocking and pacing movements, in some cases animals can start self harming.

The condition is common among elephants and horses.

Comments (9)

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No toys, no natural surroundings, shame on the Japanese.

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of course he will show mental distress ..he is locked up in glass box with another animals stick their faces to it all zoos should be break down and release the animal back to their homes

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ZeusNavigator - how can anyone 'rotate out' a bear that's unused to the natural habitat? And why take another bear from that habitat? They are not toys with flat batteries.

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Bring the bear to the UK, it is a once native animal to these islands, 180 years ago they roamed the UK and our Hills and Rivers for forage, fish and small deer. Just like Wolves where here until 150 years ago and should still be here on more land than just reserves we already have.

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If your not happy with it being in a Zoo, it could always be made into a nice rug for my bedroom floor.

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Wild animals should live in their natural habitat. No zoo can recreate that. Animals have as much right to freedom as we do.

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Poor bear an absolute shame, hope it can be rescued

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what a nutcase you are

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Animals who show an inability to adapt to the Zoo environment should be rotated out and sent back where they were found. Perhaps it's replacement will fare better.

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