A wildlife park in China has gone viral after advertising a unique job that pays up to 100,000 yuan (approximately RM65,000) a year for one simple task — dressing up as a black bear and entertaining visitors.
The unusual vacancy was posted by a wildlife park in Luohe, Henan province, and quickly sparked a frenzy online, with many social media users jokingly calling it the perfect job for introverts.
According to the recruitment advertisement, successful applicants would be required to wear a black bear costume and roam freely around the park, interacting with visitors through exaggerated movements, funny dances, random jumping and playful antics.
The zoo encouraged performers to be as quirky and unpredictable as possible, saying that unusual behaviour would make the experience more entertaining for guests.
Applicants only needed to be over 18 years old, healthy and comfortable performing in public. The park also stated that candidates who were outgoing, willing to be fed by visitors and not picky about food would receive priority consideration.
However, there was one strict rule: employees were forbidden from speaking like humans while on duty.
Apart from emergency situations or assisting visitors in need, all communication had to be carried out using body language and bear-like growls.
The unusual job advertisement quickly gained traction online, with many office workers joking that it sounded far less stressful than traditional jobs involving meetings, presentations and customer service.
Some netizens described it as a “dream job for socially awkward people” because workers could hide behind a costume and avoid normal conversations altogether.
Others questioned whether wearing a thick bear suit during the summer heat would be physically demanding.
A representative from the zoo later confirmed that the position was genuine and offered a guaranteed annual salary of 100,000 yuan. The package also included free accommodation, meals, four days off per month and a six-hour working day.
According to the zoo, nearly 100 people applied for the role within a short period, and the position has already been filled.
Management explained that employing a human “bear” serves two purposes. First, it eliminates potential safety risks associated with direct interaction between visitors and real bears. Second, a costumed performer can engage more actively with guests, creating a more entertaining experience and encouraging visitors to spend more time at the park.
Following the overwhelming response, the zoo said it may consider introducing similar roles in the future, including performers dressed as lions, tigers and other animals.
