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Another bear saved from smugglers in Nepal

9th August 2010

The latest bear to be rescued by IAR’s partners Wildlife SOS had been smuggled into Nepal by his captors who were later caught at the border trying to bring him back into India. This follows the rescue of eight bears at the beginning of June that had been smuggled into Nepal from India.

Dhruv the rescued dancing bearThe bear, known as Dhruv, is about four years old and now in quarantine at the Purulia holding centre from where he will eventually be moved to the IAR-funded Agra sanctuary. His keepers report that he is underweight and currently shows little interest in food. He can however be persuaded to eat watermelon which appears to be his favourite fruit. The rescued bear is still wary of human beings although not aggressive.

Alan Knight, Chief Executive of IAR, said: “We may have effectively shut down the trade in dancing bears in India last year, but, where there is money to be made, there will always be people willing to break the law or find a way round it.

“The porous borders between Nepal and India are exploited by wildlife poachers and traders who try to smuggle wild animals and contraband across without being detected. However, our partners at Wildlife SOS are working with the governments of both countries and local NGOs to stamp out this vile practice which causes suffering and often the death of so many animals.

“Every time a smuggler is caught red-handed, it sends the message out to others that wildlife crimes will not be tolerated and the perpetrators will be caught and punished.”

Dhruv is now safe and on the road to recoveryInternational Animal Rescue is currently appealing for help with the cost of looking after the rescued bears. While the public responded generously to help save them from the streets, there has not been the same level of support to help feed and care for them. IAR is working to remind the public that we all have a duty of care for the bears who suffered for years at the hands of human beings and consequently can never be returned to the wild.

Alan Knight concludes: “The need to feed the bears is every bit as urgent as it was to rescue them. I can’t deny I’m having sleepless nights worrying about them. I’m just praying that people will find it in their hearts to spare something, however small, to help us care for these beautiful creatures and continue to give them the life they deserve. After all that they’ve been through, it’s the least we can do.”