Published 2006
LGVN Animals - Dancing Bears

Indian Bear Dancing ... The animals who are literally 'dying' to entertain you.

The practice of bears tortured and forced to dance for the public is hoped to be stamped out within ten years, say a wildlife rescue organization in India.

The sloth bear has been used as a traditional performance act by people called Kalanders, who once entertained at royal palaces hundreds of years ago. Although now banned by a wildlife protection act, around 800 bears are still being used by street entertainers across India.

Young bears are bought from illegal poachers and then subjected to a life of cruelty. Rods are driven through their muzzles which never heal, and the bears are disciplined to perform for the rest of their short lives. Most die young of disease and infections and many become blind from malnutrition.

Wildlife SOS in India have been running their bear rescue and rehabilitation programme since 2000 and so far rescued more than 170 from a life of misery and premature death. The organization also rescue over 3000 birds and mammals each year.

A spokesperson for Wildlife SOS says "We believe that we can have the last bear off the streets in India in 5-10 years if we can continue the momentum".
Wildlife SOS, with the support of Looking-Glass, are calling for extra help from the public to achieve their target.

To find out more visit the Looking-Glass Wildlife SOS Information page which gives you all the information you need to directly help Wildlife SOS India. More ...

This is Wasatch Bear before being rescued by Wildlife SOS in September 2005 - Now doing fine.

Anu Bear, healthy and happy in the Wildlife SOS Rehabilitation Centre

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