Bear kills trainer at children's theatre

A bear performing for a children’s theatre group in Moscow lashed out and killed an animal trainer who had entered his cage to feed him.

The bear mauled Umar Zakirov, 33, when he attempted to feed him, said Svetlana Serebrennikova, the administrator for the theatre.

Two other trainers who rushed to help Zakirov were also attacked as they pulled him from the cage, but neither is seriously injured. Zakirov died before the ambulance could arrive.

The theatre, Grandpa Durov’s Corner, is a 92-year-old institution which features a variety of animals performing tricks.

The bear, Dadon, will not be destroyed, but will no longer perform, Serebrennikova said.