THIS is the horrifying moment a "jealous" brown bear attacked a pregnant circus performer in front of screaming children.

       The woman - wearing a bright blue dress in horrifying footage of the attack - was floored by the performing circus animal in Oryol, Russia.

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       A raging brown bear suddenly attacked a pregnant circus performer in Russia Credit: East2West 5

       The terrified performer was attacked in front of screaming children Credit: East2West

       Witnesses told how the bear didn't give in, despite "blows with a whip", as two men fought to get the woman free.

       The horror unfolded during an act involving two bears and two trainers in the ring.

       Miraculously, the woman - who was rushed to hospital in an ambulance - only suffered "two scratches and a slight bruise".

       She thinks the bear could have attacked due to her pregnancy - but stressed that her unborn baby is fine.

       She said: "I literally have two scratches and a slight bruise on my leg.

       "With the animal, too, everything is fine, and my baby, all is normal."

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       The trainer - who has not been named - said: "Perhaps it was jealousy to some extent, since I am pregnant. There can be many nuances.

       "I will, of course, deal with this incident with more experienced colleagues.

       "At the moment, the bear behaves to me the same way as usual. It behaves affectionately and fondly again as if nothing happened.”

       One report said the trainer and bear had "hugged and made up" after the attack.

       But concerned locals claim to have seen the animal in a cage before the show in an "agitated" and "disturbed" state.

       One circus visitor claimed they saw it pounce before. The bear has been barred from performances for now.

       The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a probe into the incident.

       A source said: "The investigation is undertaking a set of measures to establish all the circumstances of the incident, interviewing circus employees, and witnesses."

       Animal rights activists are calling for a blanket-ban on circuses using live animals for shows.

       Irina Novozhilova, of animal rights group VITA, said: "No circus conditions will be humane for one simple reason.

       "Training goes hand in hand with cruelty…. Circuses are always cruel beyond limits.

       "And circuses with animals should be banned."

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       The woman was floored by the performing circus animal in Oryol, Russia Credit: East2West 5

       Two men intervened to drag the bear away during the sudden attack Credit: East2West 5

       The horror unfolded during an act involving two bears and two trainers in the ring Credit: East2West

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