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| Project India |
Chitra, a 12 year old, was handed over to Wildlife SOS in Bangalore on Friday by her Kalandar gypsy master, having suffered many painful years performing for tourists and rural audiences.
Chitra will now enjoy her retirement at the forested Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Center, surrounded by fellow sloth bears. Her Kalandar master will receive a rehabilitation package to help him to start a new sustainable livelihood to support his family.
Mary Hutton (Free the Bears Fund) said “Since 2002, FTB has been working determinedly with Wildlife SOS to end the cruelty endured by India’s “dancing” bears. This 500th bear, from one of the world’s most endangered bear species, is such an important day for all of us.”
Alan Knight (International Animal Rescue) says “It’s a milestone in the history of wildlife conservation.”
For centuries the Kalandars, a nomadic gypsy tribe, have earned their living by exploiting sloth bears. They purchase them as cubs from tribal poachers/traders and then train them to dance and respond to commands using pain and fear.
At six months, an iron needle is heated and driven through their muzzle—without anesthesia or antibiotics. Then a rough rope is pulled through the sensitive, swollen muzzle. The bears suffer the rest of their lives at the end of a four-foot long rope.
Illegal since the ’70’s, Wildlife SOS and Free the Bears Fund have long been encouraging the Kalandar community to give up the practice of dancing bears.
In exchange for handing over their bears and old bear-keeping licenses, they are provided with assistance to establish themselves in vocations that are both humane and more prosperous.
They also help raise the overall standard of living for the Kalandars by focusing on childrens’ education, women’s empowerment and healthcare.
With more than 450 families already engaged in alternative livelihoods through the Kalandar Rehabilitation Program, the sloth bears’ future is looking much brighter.
Geeta Seshamani (Co-founder Wildlife SOS) notes, “We have been able to clear out the ‘dancing bears’ from most of the tourist areas, including the Taj Mahal and Hampi temples. Less than 200 bears still remain on the streets, scattered in more remote areas and we hope to end this barbaric practice by 2010.”
Kartick Satyanarayan (Co-founder of Wildlife SOS) adds, “Although we’re proud of the sanctuary-life we offer Chitra and our other rescued bears, we’d prefer there was no need for these sanctuaries with the bears living unharmed in the wild.”
Wildlife SOS has, in collaboration with the Indian Government, established four separate sanctuaries and trains wildlife veterinarians in the unique medical issues faced by former dancing bears. This has facilitated economic growth in several Kalandar villages and developed a network of people engaged in anti-poaching efforts.
Wildlife S.O.S is partly supported by the UK’s International Animal Rescue, Australia’s Free the Bears Fund, One Voice in France, Humane Society International, and the Indian government.
It costs just AU$2,000 to rescue and rehabilitate a bear and its owner.
Donations are welcomed at www.wildlifesos.com and www.freethebears.org.au
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