A zoo in Xinxiang, Henan province has been criticized after photos of a gaunt-looking bear began to circulate online.

Photos of the bear bending over water in its den were uploaded by a Sina Weibo user on June 18. The photo immediately drew attention, as many questioned whether the bear was being abused or starved by its keepers at the zoo.

On June 19, the zoo responded that the bear was just "thinner" but still in a "normal" range. The statement said that its eating was "standard" and it was defecating normally. It insisted that the zoo feeds the bear well and inflicts no abuse on its animals, Thepaper.cn reported.

There are currently two brown bears at the zoo, both 2 years old. The zoo guaranteed that the animals are properly fed thanks to financial support from the government. The bears can eat fruit between meals, though the zoo, being a small one, cannot weigh its animals outside of regular health exams.

However, the zoo's response triggered even more discontent, as many animal experts and even some zookeepers pointed out that it is rare for bears to become so skinny, even in the summer. Many recommended that the zoo weigh the bear to prove its point.

"This reminds us that we as zookeepers should bear two things in mind. One is how to provide better animal welfare to reduce questioning from the public. Two is how to promote public knowledge in order to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings," wrote Qi Xinzhang, head of Xining Wildlife Park.