New refuge opens for Pakistan's bears

Nov 1, 2010

Three bears in Pakistan, first saved from being used as bait for attack dogs and later saved from drowning in the recent floods, have another chance at freedom and are the first inhabitants of a new sanctuary funded by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), which opens in Pakistan today.

Balkasar Sanctuary will eventually be a refuge for between 60 and 70 Asian black bears rescued from a brutal blood sport called “bear baiting”, in which a toothless, clawless bear is tethered through the nose and set upon by trained fighting dogs.

Thanks to the efforts of WSPA and their member organization in Pakistan the Biodiversity Resource Centre (BRC), bear baiting is in decline in Pakistan. The sanctuary, being run by BRC, will allow the bears who remain involved in this cruel sport to be rescued and live out their lives in 7 hectares of natural surroundings.

The opening of Balkasar Sanctuary demonstrates the dedication and commitment of the staff who work there. Like so many Pakistanis, they lost their homes and all of their possessions, yet they remain committed to the cause. Staff like Malik Ghulam Sarwar has moved across the country to Balkasar, to rebuild their lives there alongside those of the bears in their care.     

“Overnight, my family lost our home, workplace and school,” says Sarwar. “Other staff also lost their homes and family crops, and still have families in flood-affected areas, so BRC is trying to bring them all near to Balkasar sanctuary. After managing to resettle my family to a certain extent, I rushed back to work, and now we are trying to get back on our feet again.”

WSPA believes that Balkasar offers hope for enabling the end of the bear baiting practice in Pakistan. “Thanks to WSPA donors, Balkasar sanctuary will allow us to provide space for all remaining bear baiting bears,” says Dr. Jan Schmidt-Burbach, WSPA Veterinary Wildlife Programs Manager.

“Together with the dedicated and professional work of BRC, I am very optimistic that we will succeed in eradicating this cruel practice once and for all and provide a safe haven for all those remaining bears."

About bear baiting

In the cruel blood sport of bear baiting, a tethered and clawless bear is set upon by trained fighting dogs as spectators look on to see who will be left standing. The brutal but lucrative contests are organized by powerful local landlords. They own and train the dogs, which are also victims of this 'sport'. The bears are owned by Kalanders – traditional bear owners – who are paid by the landlords to bring the bears to fight.

Bear baiting is banned by the Pakistan Wildlife Act and contravenes Islamic teachings, which forbid the baiting of animals.
The process of rescuing bears from baiting is a lengthy and complicated one, involving negotiation with the bear’s owner to first identify, and then construct, a viable alternative livelihood.  After being persuaded to surrender the bear, the owner receives training in setting up and running his new business from BRC. 

Thanks to WSPA’s and BRC’s efforts, both bear baiting and keeping are in decline in Pakistan.

Find out more about bear baiting >>