Fairy and Armel saved from bear baiting
News
Two more female Asiatic black bears have been brought to live at the World Animal Protection-funded sanctuary in Pakistan.
Fairy and Armel suffered for years in the cruel blood sport bear baiting, forced to fight trained dogs for entertainment.
But thanks to the help of World Animal Protection supporters, our partner organisation the Bioresource Research Centre (BRC) convinced the bears’ owners to surrender them to the care of the Balkasar sanctuary.
Fairy
Fairy is the youngest bear to be brought to the sanctuary. After travelling the five hour journey from the Sargodha area of the Punjab province, she was immediately looked after by BRC staff as she didn’t look well. Her fur coat was very discoloured – a sign of ill-health for a bear.
Armel
Unlike Fairy, BRC staff found six year old Armel to be healthy and strong despite the years of abuse she endured. Upon her arrival, she was checked for wounds and marks on her muzzle and then had her nose ring and rope removed – the first step to freedom.
Making friends
Fairy and Armel are now in the quarantine area of the sanctuary, where they can rest and fully recover. Not being used to the company of other bears, there was a bit of gentle friction and a roar or two when they first met - but now they play happily together.
Soon they will be well enough to be released into the main sanctuary, where they can join the other bears to live out the rest of their days in peace.
Fairy was very weak and didn’t have the strength to stand properly, which reflects the years of harsh treatment she endured when used for bear baiting.