Yes, those bears are really playing hockey

A video of bears playing ice hockey has (again) gone viral recently. The two-minute clip (above) shows brown bears sliding around a rink, deking, shoving and slap-shooting.

The bears are outfitted with sticks and jerseys as a rather sizable crowd watches. The animals actually play the sport surprisingly well. But there's no way this can be real, right?

Oh, it's a very real.

Back in May, the New York Times' Slap Shot hockey blog did a roundup of all of the crazy bear hockey videos floating around. We thought it was worth pointing out since there still seem to be questions as to whether a bear can be taught to rock the rink.

The video has been around for more than a year, yet people continue to doubt its authenticity. It appears there aren't any bear-hockey-CGI effects going on. This is a real (crazy) Russian phenomenon.

We're going to spend the rest of the day thinking of good bear puns. Like Wayne Grizzly. Or Mario Le Boo Boo. Or Sidney Crosbear. Or Jaromir Yogi. C'mon, help us out in the comments.

-- Mark Milian (Follow on Twitter @markmilian)

Comments

[jmgallo]

I am so sick of seeing animals exploited for profit. This is so unnatural and it sickens me to think about how badly they treat these animals while training them to do these tricks, and then how badly they treat them as far as nutrition and health care. Wild animals belong in the wild - not on an ice skating rink!

[bluedog]

This is deeply troubling. The word is finally out about how poorly animals are treated in circuses and zoos and this is no different. Russians have a terrible track record when it comes to exploiting and abusing bears. Imagine the abusive training that must have been required to get these bears to wear skates and knock a puck around. The fight that breaks out is only evidence of the stress these animals are under. I put this in the same column as dogfighting - immoral and wrong.

[Mark Hawthorne]

This is a very sad spectacle, and you’d think the LA Times would know better. Despite what circus promoters would have the public believe, bears do not do tricks like this for fun; they are forced to perform these stunts to entertain people. Bears, elephants, tigers, lions, seals, chimpanzees and other wild animals belong in nature, not outfitted to act silly for our amusement.

For more information on how animals are treated to become circus performers, please visit: http://bit.ly/6wkcSw

[Elizabeth]

This is a so, so sad. The disrespect shown for these bears shames us all.

[Melinda Zayas]

This is an awful tragedy for bears and humankind also. I cannot believe that the author never once mentions animal abuse!! This is animal slavery and abuse! Please don't make light of this by asking to "name" the bears with funny, ha ha, names!!! Have a little bit of compassion, please, especially if you are in the media.

Thank you,
Melinda Zayas

[ASMITH]

This is brutality for these bears. Why are you even exploiting this? THIS IS NOT RIGHT!!!!!

[costanza troini]

This video upsets me very much. I think bears should be respected and protected from extinction and exploitation. And I'm even more upset finding this on LA Times commented as a funny feature.

[sheena]

This video upset me but what upsets me more is it being featured in the Unleashed section. Boo on you.

[Julie Ann]

THIS IS NOT ENTERTAINMENT.

HOW DISGUSTING, BARBARIC AND CRUEL. THIS IS UN-NATURAL TO BEARS AND SO UNETHICAL AND WRONG.

THIS IS DISGUSTING, BARBARIC, SICKENING AND NEEDS TO BANNED

ANYONE WHO FINDS THIS ENTERTIANING HAS A REAL PROBLEM WITH COMPASSION AND IS SIMPLLY CALLOUS AND UNCARING TOWARDS ANIMALS.

[Zod]

So, let's recap:

Six posters whining about the poor defenseless bears and their ALLEGED mistreatment/resentment toward the game...

And not one of you marveling at the fact that we have two defined teams of bears playing zone defense, making shots, letting the ref break up a fight and seemingly working together?

Atleast some mammals still appear to be intelligent, humans not so much.

[Jesse C.]

I think it's pretty darn sad that the LA times is posting this video without any remorse or even a comment on how sad it is that these bears have most definitely been subject to abuse and captivity. I say that if you want to save face, L.A. Times, remove this article and, in it's place, offer an apology for posting it in the first place.

[bill remford]

What does this say for hockey players.....

[NextLevel]

Judging from the comments, people from LA are happy to live up to the stereotype of complaining toolbag once again.

The video was great, I'm sure the winning team was given an all-they-could-eat salmon buffet afterward. The losing team was probably forced to sign with the Hurricanes.

[bob]

Not all animals are treated badly when trained. Do you beat your dog senseless when you're trying to train him? I doubt it.

[Bear]

How sad that the only comments are from hive-minded political correct drones that don't understand the value of this video. If I were a bear, I'd damn sure want someone to teach me how to play ice hockey! Don't you freaks think that animals get bored and want meaning their otherwise pointless existence? This express lane evolution here, today ice hockey...tomorrow TRHE WORLD!!

[slowloris]

Wiki says "The brown bear has long been extinct in Britain and Ireland, but it still exists in northern Europe and in Russia." ,"Brown bears were present in Britain until around 500 A.D. when they were exterminated through hunting."
Isn't why so many comments made by animal lovers with English last names.
And as your CIA personnel sometimes admit, torture never works; you need to earn respect from the bear, not be afraid to be hurt by it, never run away etc.

[chris]

WOW....what a bunch of sobbing liberals. WAHHHH.... Nice video!

[Steve C]

Grrrrrrrrr

[ChicagoFD]

Stop with the crying! It's not real but it's funny as hell. Keep up the great work LA Times!

[Levi Wiggins]

I am an animal trainer and a bit of a naturalist activist, and I am just giddy with delight over this video. Granted, the old Russian proverb, Repetition is the mother of all learning" could mean that the poor beasts were at risk of boredom, but I doubt it. But I'm wondering how we can endorse professional sports for humans, tout the life lessons little Timmy learnt on the field, whilst denying animals the right to these benefits? How often does a bear have the opportunity to learn to Play Well with Others?

And did you say Barbearic? Nice.

[ASD]

hahahahahahah that's awesome. and what does it say for hockey players? you're joking right? theyre using the sticks to keep themselves up and cant play worth a darn.

[Andrew S]

I think its great

[Charles]

THIS IS WRONG!!!!! Those bears are disrespecting the game of hockey! They aren't good skaters and they aren't even giving it their all. Someone needs to teach some proper strategy to those bears!

[Hicklestyx]

I'm gonna attempt to help out with the bear puns here since no one else is, plus the real names for the non-hockey people. Fur-rug Kill-more (Doug Gilmour) , Igor Bearionov (Igor Larionov), Hairy Pawchuk (Terry Sawchuk), Grant Fur (Grant Fuhr), Frank Maulhovlich (Frank Mahovlich)," Only YOUskevich can prevent forest fires" (Dmitri Yuskevich), mURSUS Richard (Maurice Richard), Gentle Ben Eager (Ben Eager), and Wendel CLAWrke (Wendel Clarke). This game must've been the Bolshevik[toria] Grizzlies vs the Babushkan Bruins... Dear god those were worse than expected.

[Roy]

I think this is fantastic! and the Bears would fight back if they really had a problem with it! I think all creatures should have a right to be Star Athletes! I mean we name our sports teams after them!

[Catherine]

I think it's so sad that there are so many people whining about the poor bears on the internet. Like a couple of comments postings on the internet and you are suddenly a great defender of wildlife? Get OFF the animal rights bandwagon and start actually doing something about it. Lame.

[Mitch]

Thats awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

[John]

Really? How are we supposed to believe this is real? I mean come on now, the refs never once called a penalty for the players covering the puck with their hand... errrrr... paw! LOL

[laksdjfj]

Todd Beartuzzi, Corey Bearry

[John]

They seem like they're smarter than your average bear.

[flavio]

Martin Beardeur

[David]

worst... goalie.... ever

[You Know]

This is just wrong...

[Sam]

I call troll on the first few comments.

[Jane]

Shame on we humans for our exploitation, lack of compassion and understanding! In the words of Henry Beston: In a world older and more complete than ours [the animals] move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth."

[Brucer]

God, quit your crying this isn't hurting the bears you guys are such whiners just enjoy how amazing it is that these bears are actually playing a sport and with a level of skill too

[nicholas clark]

I don't watch a hockey game on TV, and say this is terrible; those poor humans. They seem to be having a good time, and everyone should just calm down. I hope that is real though. Haha

[DK Kong]

This is so beautiful, it's art. These bears have better lives than most humans. Well, in mother Russia at least

[Steve-MtAiry MD]

They really should put a badger in as goalie.