5 January 2001

Australian funded bear sanctuary sits empty as Pakistan officials turn a blind eye to bear baiting

Investigators from the WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals) today revealed new visual evidence that Pakistan is knowingly turning a blind eye to large-scale illegal bear baiting events. This is despite repeated government promises made to WSPA in recent years that the law would be enforced against this blood sport where pairs of vicious fighting dogs are unleashed against a tethered and toothless bear in a series of three-minute bouts.

"We estimate that up to 50 bear baiting contests take place each year between the months of November and April," said Georgia Stephenson, Regional Manager WSPA. "These well organised events use corrupt policemen as doormen when by law they should be arresting the organisers and helping WSPA to confiscate the bears."

New Zealander Peter Henderson, WSPA's Libearty Project Manager, has spent over a year living and working in Pakistan. He witnessed an illegal bear-baiting event that took place on the morning of 16th November last year. Aerial reconnaissance revealed by WSPA revealed that 14 bears were forced to defend themselves against pairs of dogs that were set upon them. Despite being informed of the event in advance, and repeatedly requested to take action by WSPA, the authorities failed yet again to assist and cooperate in enforcing the law. To date no action has been taken against the perpetrators of this event.

WSPA's long running campaign to end bear baiting has now reached a crossroads. The charity has spent over $265,000 to create a bear sanctuary in Kund Park in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province - much of that money has come from Australian donors committed to ending this barbaric sport. The sanctuary was built in response to a request from Pakistan for a facility for bears that the government had pledged to confiscate from future bear baiting events. However it has lain empty since its completion last May.

Although WSPA has had initial success in getting temporary crackdowns on bear baiting over the last few years, the failure of the government to act will allow a full-scale resumption of this blood sport, at the very stage where a sanctuary now exists for rescued animals, as originally requested by Pakistan.

WSPA estimates that there may be less than 300 bears left in the wild in Pakistan, with adult bears hunted and killed so that their bear cubs can be taken and sold to gypsies, or 'kalanders', some of whom use them as 'fighting bears' at events hosted by feudal landlords in rural areas. It is feared that bear baiting alone could drive Pakistan's remaining wild bears to extinction if it is allowed to continue.

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Please note:

• Photographs are available upon request.
• Additional information.

Please contact:

Anne Lloyd-Jones, WSPA, on (02) 9901 5277 or 0404 066 498 during business hours, or e-mail annelj@wspa.org.au.