From the August 23, 1896 Brooklyn Daily Eagle:

“Emil Befils, a young Arab attached to the Egyptian encampment at Bergen Beach was badly bitten by a bear belonging to the show yesterday afternoon. He took the beast to the board walk to make it dance. The bear was in an ugly humor and refused to perform. When Belfis poked the bear in the ribs with a heavy stick the animal, with a savage growl, went for the Arab’s leg and bit a piece out of it. The injured man was removed to Kings County hospital.”