On October 23rd， news emerged from Luoyang’s Luanchuan Bamboo Sea Wildlife Park regarding an unusual job advertisement released via video. The park is seeking a “Fearless Driver” with a monthly salary of 50，000 Chinese Yuan (approximately $6，900 USD). This high salary is attributed to the demanding and potentially hazardous nature of the role， which requires the driver to operate a vehicle directly into areas inhabited by tigers and bears within the park. The objective is to provide visitors with an up-close experience， potentially witnessing these powerful animals in close proximity.
This unique job posting has understandably sparked considerable public interest and discussion. The requirement for drivers to navigate through tiger and bear enclosures， bringing visitors face-to-face with these formidable predators， raises questions about safety protocols and the overall visitor experience. While the allure of such an intense encounter is clear， the practicalities and ethical considerations are significant.
In response to the public’s keen interest， the wildlife park confirmed the authenticity of the recruitment advertisement. They indicated that a significant number of applications have already been received， and a rigorous selection process will be implemented to identify suitable candidates. This suggests the park is taking the recruitment seriously and is aware of the specialized skills and temperament required for such a position.
Luanchuan Bamboo Sea Wildlife Park is home to a diverse range of animals， reportedly over 4，000 individuals， including Siberian tigers and black bears. The park also notably houses popular giant pandas， “Lingyan” and “Maimai，” which are often a significant draw for visitors. The presence of these large predators， coupled with the park’s stated intention to offer direct encounters， underlines the ambitious nature of their operational strategy.
This is not the first time the park’s animals have garnered attention. Previously， its tigers gained viral fame for their seemingly stoic behavior， appearing “like sculptures” as they held onto a water pipe motionlessly. The image of a Siberian tiger firmly gripping a water pipe with a cascade of water flowing from its mouth led to humorous comparisons among netizens， with some even coining the term “tiger-mouth waterfall.”
Park staff at the time explained that this behavior was typical exploration and play among subadult tigers. The animal’s engagement with the water pipe was described as environmental exploration， where it coincidentally ended up biting the pipe. This prior incident， while lighthearted， highlights how the park’s animals can create unexpected and memorable moments for observers， which perhaps contributes to the park’s ongoing appeal and the current bold recruitment drive.
