An bear forced to ice-skate with a touring Russian circus has killed a circus manager and seriously injured a trainer in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek.

The five-year-old bear, who had been made to wear skates at the time, attacked the manager and then severely mauled another circus worker who tried to rescue the manager.

Kyrgyz police shot and killed the bear when they arrived on the scene.

Bears on ice are unfortunately a common sight in Russian circuses. Some are equipped with helmets and sticks and forced to play hockey.

Source: BBC News