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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 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. > View as Windows Media (1.9Mb)
	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. > View as Windows Media (1.9Mb)
	Keeping it simple A simple pile of hay can be a source of much enjoyment. > View as Windows Media (1.9Mb)
	A different version of the wobble tree Wooden climbing frames also satisfy the bears’ natural instincts to climb. > View as Windows Media (1.9Mb)
	Object play The bears are not difficult to amuse, even with everyday objects. > View as Windows Media (1.9Mb)

Latest News

March 2010
Environmentalists angered by prospect of spring hunting in Malta
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February 2010
Goa vets win award for poster pioneering orthopaedic surgery
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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.