|
India – Agra Bear Rescue Facility
The Agra Bear Rescue Facilty (ABRF) is situated inside the Sur Sarovar Bird
Sanctuary 17kms north of Agra on the Delhi Agra Highway. The facility sits on 15
acres of land, controlled by the Uttar Pradesh Forestry Department. There are
currently 131 rescued bears living a new life in the sanctuary.
ABRF is managed by Free the Bears Fund partner in India, Wildlife SOS. The
centre employs 3 veterinarians, 29 keepers, 2 cooks and ground staff.
As each rescued bear is brought into the centre, their rope is cut and the wound
is treated by the vets. Painkillers and antibiotics are administered, thereby
giving much needed relief to the bear. The bear is then housed in a quarantine
area where a healthy diet of wheat porridge, seasonal fruits, multigrain baked
bread, honey and feed additives provide the bear with a composite scientific
diet to bring it to good health. During the quarantine period (minimum 90 days)
the bear’s overall health is monitored carefully. The bear is also treated for
potential tuberculosis and leptospirosis and vaccinated against rabies.
Once the quarantine period is completed, the bear is moved to a large
socialisation pen, where it learns to interact with other bears and to deal with
wide open spaces and trees to climb. After this, the bear is then moved to one
of 7 enclosures within the sanctuary, to finally enjoy it’s new life of freedom
and quality.
India – Kalander Rehabilitation Project
For years sloth bear cubs in India have been poached and tortured through
brutal training methods to become “Dancing Bears”, forced to perform for
tourists. At less than 4 weeks of age, the cub is stolen from its mother who is
often killed while trying to protect her cubs. Sold to traders and middlemen at
underground markets, trauma, malnutrition and shock accounts for a mortality
rate of more than 50%. The surviving bear cubs are sold to Kalanders who will
teach them to dance.
At the tender age of 4 months, the cub’s canine teeth are knocked out. A red hot
iron needle pierces its muzzle, and a coarse rope is pulled through. The wound
is never allowed to heal, and the cub will live in fear, hunger and pain, tied
to a stake for the rest of its life.
As part of the Kalander Rehabilitation Project, we encourage the Kalanders to
give up bear dancing and help them start a new life. We help them start a new
occupation by providing guidance, training and financial support. After
surrendering his bear and licence, the Kalander signs an agreement with us
ensuring he will not use wild animals or trade in them to make a living.
Alternative employment chosen by Kalanders so far include:
- Vegetable vending carts
- Tea shops
- Grocery stores
- Flour grinding shops
- Cycle repair shops
- Welding and fabrication
- Generator hiring
- Dairy farming
- Feed and fodder stores
- Carpet weaving
- Auto-rickshaws
The Kalander Rehabilitation Project is run by our partners Wildlife SOS, and
financed by Free The Bears Fund. The goal of the project is
“Sustainable conservation through rehabilitation”
|
