Sun bear attempts escape from Japanese zoo enclosure

KYOTO, Japan, May 8 (UPI) -- A curious sun bear's attempted escape at Japan's Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens was caught on camera by a park visitor.

The sun bear, named Martin, was seen peeking over the wall separating his enclosure from the public recently at the zoo in Kyoto and keepers used long poles to poke, prod and lightly whack the Southeast Asian bear when he climbed atop the wall.

The foiled escape attempt was recorded by a park visitor, who posted the footage to YouTube.

Zookeepers said climbing is Martin's favorite hobby and he can often be seen scaling walls and other surfaces.

@OtterBeginner 【連絡】多数の方からYouTube動画について、昨晩からご連絡をいただいておりましたが、いまメールを見ました。返信できず申し訳ございません。動画、Twitterの写真はご自由にお使いくださーい。 pic.twitter.com/6hsYoTLu0d

— かわうそ初心者♪ (@OtterBeginner) May 6, 2015

ヤバい！ pic.twitter.com/T9iNbwU5tE

— かわうそ初心者♪ (@OtterBeginner) May 5, 2015

マレーグマの大脱走！？ pic.twitter.com/eukDTIyWcO

— かわうそ初心者♪ (@OtterBeginner) May 5, 2015

@Masataka_222 飼育員さんに棒で突かれて壁の上から落ちましたが、その後は普通に歩いてました。 pic.twitter.com/CM4QkEkCkh

— かわうそ初心者♪ (@OtterBeginner) May 5, 2015