Zubair Qureshi
The global animal welfare organization, Four Paws has returned to Pakistan on an urgent request by the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) for treatment and neutering of eight resident bears at the old zoo site, now a rescue centre for animals.
Their mission also includes relocation of new confiscated bears from bear baiting, dancing, fighting and breeding activities. The team is in Pakistan on a four-day visit to perform surgeries and advise the IWMB on providing healthy environment and constructing a permanent sanctuary for the bears.
On the first day of their visit, Friday, the Four Paws vets’ team led by Director Operations, Dr Amir Khalil and including Dr Marina Ivanova, Dr Frank Goritz and VelizarAngelov and others, assessed the health and the living conditions of the bears and removed a ring from the nose of a female bear ‘Anila.’ She was rescued by the Punjab Wildlife Department from the captor who earned money from her dance. She and other bears were rescued upon the special instruction and interest of the senior provincial minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.
Chairperson of the IWMB, DrRinaSaeed Khan was also present there along with her board members and staff of the IWMB. She was thankful to the Four Paws’ vets for their prompt response and for undertaking the mission. They will also help us guide and construct a permanent sanctuary for bears here, she said.
IWMB’s Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Islamabad so far is housing eight Asiatic black bears rescued from illegal private keeping as dancing bears and the Four Paws experts will examine and treat the bears already located at the rescue centre, she said.
Dr Amir Khalil said, “It is crucial to assess the health of all bears and our priority is to neuter them to prevent unwanted breeding. That way we can ensure ethical wildlife management going forward. We are grateful for the trust of the Pakistani authorities in our expertise and committed to improve the lives of as many bears as possible. We will also support the preparation of enclosures for the new arrivals at the rescue centre and ensure proper care for all animals going forward.”
The focus will be on implementing measures to prevent breeding among the rescued bears. The expert team will also provide recommendations to ensure the future high quality and species-appropriate care of all the bears. Moreover, Four Paws is awaiting a pending court decision that will decide the fate of four Asiatic black bear cubs in need in the province of Punjab, said a spokesperson of the global animals welfare organization.
Bear baiting remains a distressing reality where bears are subjected to cruel fights against trained dogs for entertainment, despite being illegal.
