Another effect of global warming?
Not quite! While, extremely lifelike, the bear actually turned out the be part of a publicity stunt for the new Sky Atlantic TV show, Fortitude, Mashable reports.
It was created by 19 Hollywood prop specialists and operated by two puppeteers who had spent several hours studying real polar bears and practiced moving for five days inside the costume.
Check out these pics and videos shared by Londoners on social media:
Erm @skyatlantic, I appear to have made friends with your #Fortitude #PolarBear.....can I keep him please? ?? pic.twitter.com/ZtL3ui1SlV
— Lucy Horobin (@LucyHorobin) January 27, 2015
There's a polar bear in Leicester Square #fortitude @skyatlantic pic.twitter.com/T8aCPKqSXT
— Clare Patterson (@ClarePatterson2) January 27, 2015
Polar bear on millennium bridge #Fortitude #PolarBear @skyatlantic pic.twitter.com/Bj9DgLUUqK
— Alex Wood (@arg_wood) January 27, 2015
A puppet #polarbear has been spotted in London to mark the launch of #Fortitude, which starts Thursday at 9pm. pic.twitter.com/PqI0K0DvWY
— Sky Atlantic (@skyatlantic) January 27, 2015
Held up on walk to work by a #PolarBear they're never going to believe that excuse pic.twitter.com/hC4pSdPpPR
— Tracy Bowerman (@tracy_bowerman) January 27, 2015
Polar bear walking over millennium bridge, standard Tuesday #polarbear pic.twitter.com/O4oSMPPADM
— Gemma Crawley (@GemmaCrawley) January 27, 2015
Polar Bear loose in London @MayorofLondon @zsllondonzoo #polarbear #commute https://t.co/zD1kPLQTdN
— Paul Royall (@paul_royall) January 27, 2015
Beware the bear… #PolarBear spotted on the streets of London, miles from #Fortitude http://t.co/OzaVzOlm3O
— Sky Atlantic (@skyatlantic) January 27, 2015