Philips in trouble for Singapore bear hoax

Dutch electronics giant Philips is under investigation in Singapore after a marketing campaign for a new shaver triggered a search for a wild bear.

Philips issued a public apology after a fuzzy video of a bear-like creature was sent to a social-media website by a marketing firm on Wednesday, triggering a search by zoo officials - armed with a tranquilliser gun - and animal-welfare activists.

The "bear" was actually just a mascot pretending to rummage through a rubbish bin in Ulu Pandan, a residential and school district with pockets of thick foliage.

"When we found out about this yesterday afternoon, we worked very hard over the next few hours to clarify with all concerned parties that this was part of a social media marketing campaign," said an internal Philips staff memo made available to AFP.

"We were very sorry to have caused concern and inconvenience to the public."

A police spokesman confirmed that "we are investigating an offence of public nuisance under section 268 of the penal code."

Anyone found guilty of such an offence can be punished with a fine of up to 1000 Singapore dollars (NZ$1015).

While most viewers dismissed the video as a joke, Singapore Zoo took no

chances and dispatched a team armed with a tranquilliser gun.

Three members of Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), a non-profit group that helps capture abused, illegally trafficked and stray animals, also took part.

(Published by NZ Herald – October 14, 2010)