The director of a circus arena says an ice-skating bear turned on its trainers, killing one and seriously wounding another, the Associated Press reported.
A Russian circus troupe was rehearsing for a performance in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, when the incident happened.
Workers had to drag the bear away during the attack, according to the director of the arena, Kurmangazy Isanayev, Sky News reported.
The exits were closed off as staff waited for the emergency services.
Police shot the bear dead at the scene.
Sky News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.