A black bear greeting zoo visitors sparked speculation it was actually a human in a costume.

Footage shows the friendly creature named Bobby standing upright on its hind legs to look at tourists at the Shoushan Zoo in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on February 12.

Bobby's human-like posture has prompted several zoogoers to question if it was a person masquerading as a bear in a costume.

The zoo has not responded to the tongue-in-cheek comments.

Last year, China's Hangzhou Zoo in Zhejiang province quelled similar rumours after some locals suggested one of its Malaysian sun bears named Angela was a human in a bear suit.

Angela had been seen standing on her hind legs and craning her head while interacting with tourists.