A Moscow circus is mourning the loss of one of their own after circus administrator, Dmitry Potapov was killed while working with a five-year old bear on ice skates.
Another man, 29-year-old animal trainer Yevgeny Popov was also seriously injured by the powerful bear, before the animal was successfully shot dead by handlers. Popov, who was attempting to rescue Potapov from the bear, received life threatening injuries, suffering deep lacerations on his scalp and body, as well as bruising throughout his body and brain. Popov remains listed in critical condition.
Members of the Russian state circus troupe ‘Bears on Ice’ were rehearsing when the incident occurred. The circus has since been cordoned off by local police and animal experts are on the scene. Currently, experts are uncertain what may have caused the animal to attack Potapov.
In Russia, the circus is a highly regarded art form, much like the opera or ballet. Ice skating bears are common in Russian circuses. Russia has an age old tradition of teaching various circus tricks to bears. However, fatal incidents involving circus bears, are believed to be rare.
