BEIJING (Web Desk) — Would you spend your working day inside a furry animal suit, climbing trees, catching fish, and napping on the grass for an annual salary of 100,000 Yuan? For more than 100 job seekers in China, the answer is a resounding yes.
The Luohe Wildlife Zoo, a newly opened, government-backed facility in Henan province, has gone viral globally after posting an unconventional recruitment advertisement seeking humans to pose as black bears. The position offers a yearly salary equivalent to over 4.1 million Pakistani Rupees (PKR), triggering massive engagement across social media platforms.
According to the official job description, successful candidates will be tasked with wearing a “soft” bear costume to roam the zoo premises and interact with visiting tourists. The zoo management has marketed the role as incredibly flexible, catering perfectly to both introverts and extroverts.
“It’s the freest position in our zone,” the whimsical advertisement reads. “If you’re tired, you can just lie down and daydream. If you’re feeling energetic, you can jump, dance, climb trees, or even catch fish. Do whatever feels comfortable.”
The zoo explicitly encourages a touch of eccentricity from its performers, noting that there is no pressure to act perfectly like a biological animal. Instead, the listing emphasizes: “You can act in the most nonsensical ways. The more bizarre, the more popular you’ll be.”
Despite the playful job description, the role does come with specific operational parameters. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and possess a high level of physical fitness. The workload consists of six-hour daily shifts, with employees granted four days off each month.
While interacting with the public, the “human bears” are bound by a strict silence clause. Speaking is entirely prohibited unless a genuine emergency arises. However, performers are permitted—and encouraged—to make various animal-like purring and grunting sounds. Furthermore, candidates must be easy-going regarding their diet, as they are allowed to accept snacks, food, and drinks directly from zoo visitors.
The unique posting has drawn mixed reactions online. While many found the concept highly amusing, others expressed practical concerns regarding workplace comfort. Netizens pointed out that summers in Henan province can feature extreme heat, raising questions about whether the “soft” costumes feature internal cooling fans or proper ventilation systems.
A spokesperson for the Luohe Wildlife Zoo revealed that the eccentric marketing strategy has already proved to be a major success. Within just a few days of publishing the notice, more than 100 eager applicants contacted the management, and all available vacancies have now been completely filled.
The zoo management hinted that the base salary of 100,000 Yuan could be just the beginning for the new hires. A spokesperson confirmed that if a performer achieves individual social media fame while in character, they stand to earn significantly more through bonuses. “This could represent a unique job opportunity for young people and help our zoo explore new avenues for revenue,” the official stated.
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