New companions at Balkasar experience freedom for first time
Jan 25, 2012
We have just received some exciting news from our local partner, the Bioresource Research Centre (BRC) in Pakistan. The three bears rescued in October from a horrific life of bear baiting are all recovering well from their injuries. The health of two has improved so dramatically that they’ve just been released into the main enclosure at the WSPA-funded sanctuary.
The bears, named Milla (meaning gracious), Shama (meaning candle) and Lala (meaning tulip), have settled well into sanctuary life. Milla and Shama have now joined the other bears of Balkasar in the main enclosure, while Lala is still being kept in quarantine as the terrible injury to her muzzle has not yet healed properly.
Milla - the ‘gracious’ one
© WSPA
Milla is a lovely Asiatic black bear, around five years old. She has a reddish, black shaggy coat and her health has improved dramatically since her arrival at the sanctuary.
Milla was used extensively in the baiting rings and her past experiences have clearly left their mark; she bears the scars of her encounters on her muzzle and is blind in one eye. On release she confidently left her quarantine enclosure and she enjoys her food and exploring her new home with Shama.
Shama – the candle
© WSPA
Shama is about five years of age with a thick black coat. Like Milla, Shama was used in many bear baiting events. She had a wound on her muzzle on her arrival but was relatively healthy despite her awful start in life.
She is a curious bear and keenly left her quarantine enclosure and is often spotted sitting with Milla in the grounds of the main enclosure.
Lala - the tulip of Balkasar
© WSPA
On arrival at the sanctuary, it was clear that the gaping wound in Lala’s muzzle would require proper treatment, even surgery. The wound, essentially a hole through her muzzle (as you can see from the picture), made it hard for her to eat properly and at first she wouldn’t take any food.
The sanctuary vet and the dedicated BRC staff have been monitoring her health and recovery very carefully and thanks to their care and treatment she is now able to eat food properly and the wound is healing.
However, while her health has improved, BRC staff want her to remain in quarantine until the wound is completely healed so she won’t be at risk of being accidentally hurt as she plays with the other bears.
New companions
Milla and Shama join the first inhabitants of Balkasar, Sohrab, Babu and Maylu, as well as rescued bears Chowti (saved in 2010), Bhoori, Leela, Kaali and Nita (all rescued in 2011).
Chowti, the only blind bear of the group, has progressed well and has joined the other bears in the main enclosure. While she doesn’t venture far from the main feeding areas, she is bonding with the other bears and appears to be enjoying her new enclosure.
Working together to end bear baiting
Thanks to WSPA and the BRC, bears are being protected from baiting in Pakistan. Since our partnership began we have reduced the number of bears being used in this brutal ‘sport’ to around 60.
In October 2010, the WSPA-funded Balkasar Sanctuary opened as a home for rescued bears. Covering seven hectares, the sanctuary is a safe and secure refuge for the bears. Here they can experience some measure of freedom – they can explore the lush grounds, play in pools and receive appropriate care and treatment for the remainder of their lives.
Rescuing bears from baiting is a lengthy and complicated process. It involves many months’ negotiations with the bear’s owner to identify and construct a viable alternative livelihood in exchange for their bear. This is the best and most sustainable way to ensure that owners won’t engage with bear ownership in the future.
Of course, the bear rescues are only a small part of the work to end the practice of bear baiting in Pakistan. WSPA also funds vital awareness-raising and monitoring activities aimed at reducing the demand for bear baiting and making these events more difficult to organise.
This has all been made possible thanks to the support and generosity of WSPA supporters.
We’ll continue to keep you updated on the beautiful Lala and her ongoing recovery, as well as the other bears at Balkasar over the course of the coming weeks.