Animal rights groups in China are advocating for Pizza's (the saddest polar bear) move back to her parents be permanent rather than temporary as the mall where she is stationed undergoes maintenance.

In July, the three-year-old bear stole the hearts of many after a video by Hong Kong-based group Animal Asia showed her lying on her side in a glass-walled enclosure in a mall located in Guangzhou city.

Like Us on Facebook

Mall officials, however, insisted that not only is Pizza well fed and taken care of but also that she has adapted to the new environment quite well. They also added that the move was only temporary while the aquarium is being upgraded.

"Pizza, the 'bear baby' adored by millions of foreign visitors will say goodbye for a short period of time. He will return to the loving care of her mother and father," said the mall's Aquarium official 'WeChat' account.

They added that the upgrading operations would not interfere with its operations and invited all his fans and staff members to say goodbye.

Beijing's Capital Animal Welfare Association (CAWA) director Qin Xiaona said that taking her to her parents was a good decision but temporarily wasn't good enough.

"We hope that Grandview will learn from this episode and move Pizza permanently so that he never again has to endure the dreadful life in a shopping mall," said Qin.

Humane Society campaigner at Humane Society International (HSI), Peter Li, spoke out strongly against the temporary move.

"No amount of renovation could make a shopping mall a suitable place for this animal," said Peter. "Sending Pizza back after her return home would be cruel and heartless,"

In another video that was posted last month HSI along with three other Animal Rights Groups called for the mall to be closed. They argued that the constant head swaying and repetitive pacing by Pizza was an evident sign of mental torture.

Tagschina, animal rights, CAWA, Animal Asia, pizza polar bear, HSI