IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CREATION OF THIRD SANCTUARY IN INDIA FOR RESCUED DANCING BEARS

[Guest guest]

CREATION OF A Third bear sanctuary IN india BRINGS AN END

 

TO THE CRUEL DANCING BEAR trade ONE STEP CLOSER

 

 

 

13 May 2006 - An Indian wildlife charity - Wildlife SOS of India (WSOS)

leading the campaign to stop the dancing bear trade in India today announced

the creation of its third bear sanctuary. Wildlife SOS has been working

extensively with Qalandar communities who dance bears in Bhopal, Central

India, and has just rescued fifteen dancing bears that will be cared for at

the new facility at Van Vihar, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Wildlife SOS works in

partnership with International Animal Rescue in the UK, One Voice France,

Humane Society Australia & FTB Australia to cut the bears free and stop the

dance.

 

 

 

Says Kartick Satyanarayan of WSOS: " We are now seeing an exciting

breakthrough in our campaign to free the bears. Besides the two sanctuaries

that we manage in the north and south of India with the help of our

partners, starting this third sanctuary in BHOPAL proves to the authorities

that we mean to bring an end to the dancing bear trade. We are also

committed to make it a new beginning for the Qalandar people who 'dance'

them. Our campaign provides a solution for both animals and people "

 

 

 

" We have also seen a change in attitude amongst the Qalandar people

themselves. Only two weeks ago, bear poachers in the state of Uttar Pradesh

tried to sell a young cub to a Qalandar community but the villagers refused

to buy it because they knew it was against the law. There is no doubt that

our multi-pronged approach of anti-poaching work, rescue and rehabilitation

of bears on the streets, and concerted efforts to help people as well as

animals, is paying dividends. I truly feel there is an end in sight and one

day the streets of India will be free of captive bears being tortured for

entertainment. "

 

 

 

The Qalandar Bear Dancers who have surrendered their bears to the Madhya

Pradesh Forest Department will receive rehabilitation assistance to find

them alternative ways of earning a living and also to provide for the

education, health care and other needs of their families. Wildlife SOS and

its international partners are committed to the rehabilitation of both

people and animals in this sustainable conservation project.

 

 

 

The bears were surrendered to the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department over a

period of three days in groups of seven, three and five animals. The seven

females and eight males are now at the Van Vihar Bear Rescue Facility in

Bhopal and being cared for by an expert team from Wildlife SOS. The animals

suffer from health problems such as tumours and tuberculosis; problems of

malnutrition and dehydration; cataracts and opacity of vision; muzzle

injuries, maggot wounds and ulceration in the mouth; with severely broken

teeth. The bears are under observation in two large quarantine enclosures

complete with ponds and security gates. A WSOS vet is overseeing their care

and ensuring they receive a nutritious diet with added vitamins and

medication where required.

 

 

 

The rescue of the bears and the creation of the new facility signifies the

tremendous support that is being given to the project by the Madhya Pradesh

Forest Department under the guidance of the Chief Wildlife Warden &

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr Gangopadhyaya. It is thanks to

them that the bears are now spared further suffering and can look forward to

being treated with kindness and compassion.

 

 

 

Their morning meal is freshly baked rotis, milk, fruits and eggs and the

evening meal is protein rich porridge with dates, honey and fruits. WSOS

field coordinator who is a local of Bhopal city Ms.Prerna Sharma is

delighted at the response of the bears to their kind treatment, " For the

first time in their lives, these bears will soon be free to live their lives

as bears...to climb trees, play in the ponds, to eat wholesome food and now

they need never be beaten or tortured to perform in hot dusty venues and

before large noisy crowds. "

 

 

 

" As soon as the bears gain in strength the regular veterinary protocols will

be enforced. We will first control internal parasites, then tone the liver

and begin prophylactic treatment against tuberculosis and vaccinate them

against rabies and leptospirosis. " states Wildlife SOS vet Dr Murthy who is

spending his days getting to know his new charges.

 

 

 

Other officers whose commitment to the project has won the appreciation and

gratitude of WSOS are Deputy Conservator of Forests, Bhopal - Mr.Satyanand,

Additional Principal Chief Conservator -Dr Pabla and Field Director Van

Vihar - Mr.A K Bhattacharya.

 

 

 

The rescue of the Bhopal Bears could also not have been carried out without

the dedicated team of WSOS field biologists - Rohit & Baiju who spent weeks

getting to know the Qalandar families and convincing them to surrender their

bears to the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. Wildlife SOS has been working

closely with the Qalandars since 1995 to ensure that conservation measures

thus undertaken do not leave the Qalandars desperate & without alternative

livelihood options.

 

 

 

Ends.

 

 

 

For further information and images contact Kartick Satyanarayan of Wildlife

SOS on +91 98 1011 4563 karticksatyanarayan

<karticksatyanarayan%20or%20wsos or

wsos

 

 

 

Or Lis Key, International Animal Rescue, +44 7957 824379 lis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of suffering animals

 

 

 

www.iar.org.uk <BLOCKED::http://www.iar.org.uk/>

 

International Animal Rescue, Lime House, Regency Close, Uckfield, East

Sussex TN22 1DS

 

Tel: +44 (0) 1825 767688 Fax: +44 (0) 1825 768012

 

Registered UK charity number 802132