Pakistan: Four bears saved in latest local network success

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Four bears saved in latest local network success

Jul 9, 2008

 

BRC staff with one of the former bear owners and two

rescued bears

© WSPA

 

Bioresource Research Centre (BRC) in Pakistan has rescued four

bears from being used in brutal bear baiting events.

Once again BRC and WSPA’s landlord network proved to be

amazingly valuable. The network includes former organisers of bear baiting

events – locally influential people who have been convinced to give up this

bloody sport and support our work.

 

The rescue

Just after BRC and the Punjab Wildlife Department managed to prevent a

separate bear baiting event – these are banned in Pakistan but still occur –

BRC’s field team received a report of four bears being held in two villages in

the vicinity. 

With the support of widely respected landlords Mr. Saad Ahmed Niazi, Mr. Jan

Ahmed Ali and Mr. Mian Ajmal, the team successfully engaged in day long talks

with the bear owners about giving up the bears.

In exchange for the bears the families received support in starting up an

alternative livelihood – running motorcycle rickshaws – which will provide a

steady income and prevent them from having to return to the bear baiting

business.

“The latest achievements of BRC’s landlord network and alternative

livelihood

program show just how effective this approach is in building opposition against

bear baiting and rescuing bears at the same timeâ€, said Jan Schmidt-Burbach,

WSPA Wildlife Veterinary Programmes Officer for Asia.

Recovering in safety

 

One of the bears, with visible wounds, is transported to

Kund Park Sanctuary

© WSPA

The three Asiatic black bears and one brown bear were in poor health at the

time of confiscation. They were immediately transported to BRC and WSPA’s

sanctuary at Kund Park where they were examined and treated by veterinarian Dr.

Nasir.

All four bears are now recovering and enjoying the natural enclosures and

adequate diet provided at the sanctuary.

 

http://wspa-international.org/latestnews/2008/local_network_success.aspx

 

Project Coordinator34 Bazaar Road

G-6 /4 Islamabad

Pakistan

Phone:  +92(0)51 227 8044

Fax       +92(0)51 2275899

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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