International Animal Rescue
Dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of suffering animals

Annual Review 2008

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MuchLoved Website Memorials

Media: Video Footage

Environmental enrichment

International Animal Rescue is committed to giving the rescued bears as full a life as possible in our peaceful sanctuaries. With this aim in mind, they are provided with various types of environmental enrichment to amuse and stimulate them. The techniques were chosen and implemented by MSC student Laurence Van Atten who is producing a paper on her findings. As can be seen in the short clips below, the introduction of simple objects into the socialisation areas immediately arouses the bears’ curiosity and playfulness.

The wobble tree

The wobble tree
A metal container with holes drilled in it attached to a pole and filled with chunks of fresh fruit. The bears soon get the idea and behave just like wild bears to claim the treats.

Blind bears

Blind bears
These bears are partially or totally blind as a result of their cruel past. Yet they are still curious and playful when introduced to something strange and new.

Keeping it simple

Keeping it simple
A simple pile of hay can be a source of much enjoyment.

A different version of the wobble tree

A different version of the wobble tree
Wooden climbing frames also satisfy the bears’ natural instincts to climb.

Object play

Object play
The bears are not difficult to amuse, even with everyday objects.

March 2010
Environmentalists angered by prospect of spring hunting in Malta
The Malta Ornis Committee, made up of members of the hunting community, Birdlife Malta and environmental officers, has recommended that the season should open for three weeks from 10 - 30 April, allowing shooters to kill 22,298 turtle doves and 10,837 quail.

February 2010
Goa vets win award for poster pioneering orthopaedic surgery
Our vets in Goa have been awarded a gold medal at an international veterinary conference in India for their poster.

February 2010
Infant Sindi joins our family of rescued orangutans in Ketapang
A young female orangutan is the latest arrival at International Animal Rescue's centre in Ketapang, West Kalimantan.

January 2010
Malta to allow spring bird killing again
A petition calling on the government to maintain the ban on spring bird hunting in Malta is being vigorously supported by International Animal Rescue.

January 2010
Maltese Hunter hit by friend in shooting accident
A 20 year old Maltese hunter is fighting for his life in hospital following a shooting accident in which he was hit by a friend.

December 2009
Animal welfare history is made as the final curtain falls on dancing bears in India
A coalition of conservation and animal rescue groups has today made animal welfare history by taking the last dancing bears off the streets of India.

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