11-month-old bear cub Junjun in Shanghai wins fans with playful antics

Junjun, an 11-month-old bear cub in a Shanghai zoo, has won hearts online for his cute appearance and playful antics.

Another cutie

The bear cub has drawn crowds to the Shanghai Zoo to watch him playing in his enclosure, Chinese media reported.

Pictures and videos have been shared online of the cub tumbling around with a tyre, frolicking in water or playing with toys or his water bowl, to the delight of his fans.

Junjun was born on Jan. 4, 2024, the Shanghai Zoo said.

Many adoring fans have dubbed the scraggly brown bear "Duffy of the Western suburbs", after his perceived resemblance to Duffy, Mickey Mouse's teddy bear, The Paper reported.

The Disney character is a fan favourite in China and parts of Asia.

The Shanghai zoo was previously named Western Suburban Park.

Draws a doting crowd at zoo

Reuters reported that Junjun, which stands just 1 m (3.3 ft) tall, makes an appearance every two days at his outdoor enclosure in the zoo and draws a doting crowd.

"Everyone likes such a lively and active bear cub. He can play in the exhibition area all day long, attracting everyone's attention," said his keeper, Yang Junjie.

Yang added that the bear's favourite game is playing tag with his keepers.

Junjun's popularity has also led to concerns from zoo volunteers that visiting tourists might overfeed the bear, Shanghai Observer reported.

Some of Junjun's fans have even volunteered to be stationed at Junjun's enclosure to dissuade such feeders, according to The Paper.

@mothershipsg move aside moo deng, the next big cutie is here #news #animal #junjun ♬ Funny video "Carmen Prelude" Arranging weakness(836530) - yo suzuki(akisai)

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Top image from 正版初七/Xiaohongshu & from 屑屑er/Xiaohongshu