Bear attacks trainer in front of circus audience after being forcefully made to perform

Warning: This article contains depictions of animal cruelty some may find distressing.

Shocking footage shows the moment a circus bear attacked its trainer while being forced to perform for a crowd at a show in Russia.

The incident unfolded as crowds of families and young children gathered at the Mash Circus in Obninsk, in the Kaluga region, on June 1 to watch the performance which had been dubbed the 'Happiness Show'.

Given the name of the show the audience no doubt expected to be delighted by all sorts of impressive displays from the circus talent, but things took a shocking turn when female bear Dzhema made her appearance.

The animal had a pair of roller skates tied to her back paws, and was forced to sit in a chair before her trainer, Oleg Krasov, pulled her up.

Krasov pushed Dzhema so she'd start moving on the roller skates, but the bear made clear she wasn't going to be told what to do.

As Krasov turned his back to the bear, she took her chance to hit back and dropped to all fours before charging towards him.

Footage shows the moment the bear barrelled into the trainer, causing members of the audience to scream in fear.

The bear had been made to wear roller skates. (Newsflash)

The bear used her claws and jaws to attack Krasov, causing him to fall to the ground as circus workers attempted to get control of the animal.

The footage came to an end with Krasov still on the ground, though he didn't appear to be seriously harmed.

Local media confirmed that the trainer didn't suffer any serious injuries as a result of the incident.

In fact, circus management tried to pass off the attack of as a 'normal' situation.

They said in a statement: "She did not hurt him at all. She was actually playing with him.

"These are her normal actions. She loves him."

Animal rights organizations have condemned the use of bears and other animals for entertainment purposes such as circuses.

The bear pushed the trainer to the ground. (Newsflash)

The website Bear Conservation notes how circus animals are often moved from place to place, which can cause 'high levels of stress resulting in abnormal behaviour'.

"In bears this includes pacing, biting cage bars and themselves, head rolling and body swaying. There is also evidence of the widespread use of cruelty both in training and during performances," the site says.

Pointing out that bears are usually 'free-roaming' in the wild, the site added that enforced social interaction and close confinement both contribute to stress and abnormal behaviour.

"Research indicates high levels of stress and probably fear amongst bears kept in circuses. Symptoms include elevated blood pressure and heart rates and atypical body language," it says.