Animal Matters Issue No: 01 t Summer 2014
Feature: Helping animals in disasters for 50 years Moving the world to protect animals t Celebrating bear sanctuaries t Protecting ocean wildlife
P8 STOP Bear bile farming
Cover image: A bear farmed for its bile at a facility in South Korea. See how you could help on page 8. Image left: Two boys bring their dog to be vaccinated against rabies at a free clinic in Cainta, Philippines.
Contents 02 03 04 06 08 10
Welcome to Animal Matters
12 13 14 16
Welcome Appeals update Moving the world to protect animals Our superstar supporters Urgent appeal: Help stop the bear bile industry Protecting animals in disasters for 50 years Standing up for dairy cows Protecting our ocean wildlife Bear sanctuaries around the world Christmas Catalogue
World Animal Protection would like to welcome you to the very first issue of Animal Matters, the magazine that keeps you up to date with all that is achieved for animals thanks to your support. New name, same focus In this new-look issue, we reflect on some of the amazing things that your support has helped us do, first as the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and now as World Animal Protection. Together, we have been protecting animals in disasters for 50 years. From flooding, to volcanic eruptions, to animals caught in conflict – turn to page 10 to see how your support has helped. And for over 20 years we’ve been rescuing bears from cruelty and bringing them to live in sanctuaries funded by you. Read a special feature guest-written by Victor Watkins, our Wildlife Advisor, on page 14. Ending the bear bile industry Our supporters have been behind us in our fight to protect bears since the beginning. One of the worst forms of cruelty to animals in the world today is the bear bile industry: where captive bears are farmed for their bile, for use in some traditional Asian medicine. This has to stop. Please see our urgent appeal for help on page 8. Your support for animals The generosity of our wonderful supporters is what keeps us going. It’s your dedication that empowers us to make the world a better place for animals. See what you and other fellow supporters have been up to on page 6. Now more than ever animals around the world need our help. And now more than ever, we are strong enough to help them. My heartfelt thanks as always for helping us move the world to protect animals.
Contact us World Animal Protection would love to hear what you think of this issue of Animal Matters. Please contact us with your views at: Post World Animal Protection 222 Grays Inn Road London WC1X 8HB Email news@worldanimalprotection.org.uk Telephone 0800 316 9966
Editor: Katriona Meheran Produced by: Brightsource Ltd Animal Matters is published by the UK office of World Animal Protection. World Animal Protection is the operating name of World Society for the Protection of Animals. Company Limited by Guarantee in England and Wales, Registration No. 4029540. Registered Charity 1081849. All images are World Animal Protection unless otherwise stated.
Suzi Morris Director, World Animal Protection UK 2
"OJNBM .BUUFST t Issue 01
Update
News round-up Your response to our appeals
PWLS for World Animal Protection
Stop the bear bile industry Tens of thousands of bears are suffering desperate conditions across Asia right now. Poached from the wild as cubs or bred in captivity, they are cruelly exploited and farmed for their bile – which is painfully extracted then sold for profit. Please donate to our latest appeal – find out how on page 8.
Saving animals in disasters So far, you’ve helped us to raise over £70,000 for our Animals in Disasters appeal. Your kind generosity could help make sure World Animal Protection’s vets reach more desperate and helpless animals as soon as disaster strikes. Turn to page 10 to see how you’ve been protecting the animal victims of disasters over the years.
Protecting working donkeys and horses A huge thank you to those of you that generously donated to our Donkeys in Palestine appeal earlier this year. You raised over £163,000 that could help Dr Yousef (pictured above treating a donkey) and the rest of the team at the Palestine Wildlife Society reach even more sick and injured donkeys and horses across Palestine.
Together, we are World Animal Protection You’ll already have noticed a few changes to this issue of your supporter magazine. As of June 2014, WSPA has a new name – one we feel better describes our purpose: World Animal Protection. We think our new name makes it clear what we are here to achieve. And it is easy to remember. By becoming World Animal Protection we will be able to change even more animals’ lives for the better, because more people will understand what we do. As well as this, your supporter magazine is now called Animal Matters. But don’t worry, although the magazine has a fresh new look and name, its purpose remains the same. Three times a year, you will receive good news stories about the animals that you’re protecting, get updates on the progress of our campaigns and learn about ways you can get involved. And of course, we will tell you about our latest appeals – so that together we can be there for the animals that still need our help.
Your questions answered If you’d like to read more about our name change, visit www.worldanimalprotection.org.uk/change
"OJNBM .BUUFST t Issue 01
3
Moving the world to protect animals Across the world, there are millions of animals in distress – suffering pain, injury, cruel captivity and exploitation every day. But World Animal Protection has been protecting these animals for decades and you have helped us every step of the way.
2 1
1: Haiti When the worst earthquake in Haiti’s history struck, we formed the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) – a collection of animal welfare organisations that wanted to help in the wake of the disaster. Travelling through a devastated landscape, the ARCH team treated around 200 animals a day.
2: UK Thanks to your unfailing support and dedication, after three years of campaigning, we finally secured the future of London’s specialist wildlife police, the Wildlife Crime Unit (WCU).
Your support helped an incredible 70,000 pets and farm animals get life-saving treatment and care in the wake of the earthquake.
London is major hub for illegal trade in wild and endangered animals – but the WCU are there to make sure all crime against wildlife is policed properly. Christopher Ratcliffe for World Animal Protection
4
"OJNBM .BUUFST t Issue 01
Feature 6: Romania Through supporting our Libearty campaign, you’ve helped us end bear dancing in Greece and Turkey, and given rescued bears new lives at the World Animal Protection-funded sanctuary in Romania. Thanks to you, the wonderful oak forest sanctuary near Zarnesti is currently home to 78 bears now free from cruel captivity.
5: Pakistan With your help, World Animal Protection and partner the Bioresource Research Centre have given new homes to bears that have been used for bear baiting – a cruel blood sport in which a tethered bear is attacked by trained fighting dogs.
6 5
Since we began, we’ve saved 63 bears from the horrors of bear baiting.
3 4
4: Borneo 3: Bangladesh Thanks to your support, hundreds of thousands of dogs across Bali, China, Tanzania and the Philippines are protected against brutal culls fuelled by fear of rabies. In Bangladesh, the government wholeheartedly embraced vaccinating dogs instead of culling as the official method for controlling rabies.
"OJNBM .BUUFST t Issue 01
Together we raised over £4,000,000 to help fund the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation and its Nyaru Menteng sanctuary – a much-needed home to Borneo’s endangered orangutans.
Your incredible generosity helped the sanctuary stay open and care for its 650 orangutans, from orphaned infants to injured adults, until it was able to raise its own funds independently. 5
You’re our heroes At Animal Matters we love to tell you about all the animals you are saving from cruelty and suffering by supporting World Animal Protection. Nathan Towers raising money to help protect animals by leaping off the highest bungee jump in the world.
From our incredible vets, volunteers and local partners on the ground, to staff in the office, we all play a part in moving the world to protect animals. But at the heart of our success is you – our supporters. All that we achieve for animals is first and foremost made possible by you. Whether you donate to our appeals, campaign with us, are remembering us in your Will or raise money in your spare time – you are the real heroes for animals.
Nathan’s extreme fundraising There are some supporters who take their dedication to animals to a whole other level – like Nathan Towers who has been extreme fundraising for World Animal Protection for the past year. “I thought I’d try something a little more challenging in order to get sponsorship from my generous friends. I began by doing a few marathons and treks, but it soon became an obsession and I found myself wanting to challenge myself more and more.” Some of Nathan’s fundraising challenges include climbing Mont Blanc, taking part in the Great North Run, and climbing all 15 mountains in North Wales. To the left, you can see him in one of his more extreme challenges – falling 233 metres off the world’s highest bungee Macau Tower Bungee Jump. “It has given me some amazing experiences and memories I’ll always treasure. On many occasions I have been on the verge of giving up, but seeing what the money can do for animals really keeps me motivated. I am by no means an athlete or talented at sports, just an average guy trying to do a little bit of good while I’m here.”
6
"OJNBM .BUUFST t Issue 01
Supporters Russell’s double marathon challenge Russell Weston-Walker is no stranger to running – in his training he clocks up to 30 miles a week. He was inspired to run for World Animal Protection after reading one of our train posters describing the horrors of bear baiting. “I am an animal lover. We have a Border Terrier puppy and two Persian cats. I despise cruelty to animals and want to make a difference.” He decided to set himself the incredible task – not one marathon but two – Brighton followed by the London marathon. In the lead up to the marathons Russell stepped up his gruelling training to 50 miles a week. “I’ve run one marathon before – London in 2012. I couldn’t walk for a week afterwards. In preparation for running two I worked really hard to ensure I didn’t get injured. After both marathons I felt no aches, blisters or injuries. In fact I was out training again straight away!” We’re sure you’ll join us in congratulating Russell on his incredible achievement, for himself and for animals the world over. So far he has raised over £1,330 to help protect animals. Well done Russell!
Russell Weston-Walker running the London Marathon as part of his gruelling double marathon challenge to raise funds for animals.
Derek and Lynda’s long-lasting gift By kindly leaving a gift in their Will, Derek and Lynda Simonds know they will continue to make the world a better place for animals long into the future. “We decided some time ago to leave a significant proportion of our estate to World Animal Protection. Obviously we ensured our family are provided for, but we also wanted our legacy to make a meaningful and enduring contribution to animal welfare. We like the way World Animal Protection identify particular issues such as bullfighting, caged bears, trade in wildlife and farming, and work not simply to alleviate immediate suffering but to change the underlying cause. This long-term approach is the reason legacy income is so important. If more people leave a legacy there will be income that allows them to help animals now – and in the future.” If you’d like to know more about leaving a gift in your Will, please call our experienced legacy team on 0845 073 7500.
Derek and Lynda Simonds are kindly leaving a gift in their Will to help protect animals into the future.
We need you If you’re inspired to raise funds for World Animal Protection, our experienced fundraiser Jane is happy to help.
Stay involved You can keep up to date with what events we’ve got coming up, and spur on your fellow World Animal Protection supporters on our social media pages. facebook.com/WorldAnimalProtectionUK twitter.com/MoveTheWorldUK
"OJNBM .BUUFST t Issue 01
Telephone 0800 316 9772 Email fundraising@worldanimalprotection.org.uk Visit worldanimalprotection.org.uk/ help-animals/raise-money
7
Urgent appeal
Help stop the bear bile industry Farming bears for their bile is one of the most intense and severe forms of animal cruelty in the world today. Thousands of bears endure appalling conditions on bear bile facilities – all because their bile can be sold for use in some traditional Asian medicine.
The extraction of bear bile has been illegal in Vietnam since 2005. But sadly, this cruel practice continues in secret. Laws are not being enforced, and bears are suffering. World Animal Protection and local partner Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV) went undercover to investigate Vietnam’s black market trade in bear bile, in the hope that we can end this cruelty once and for all. You may find what you read next shocking. But if we are to live up to our name, we have to protect animals the world over – and that means revealing the truth about what these bears are forced to endure. Rosie’s home behind bars We discovered a particularly traumatised bear in one of the bear bile facilities we visited during our investigation. She doesn’t have a real name, but the team thought she should have one, so decided to call her Rosie. Rosie, along with so many bears like her, is forced to live in a cramped and barren metal cage, with little or no room to move around. She is fed on a minimal diet of weak rice gruel that is enough to keep her alive – but not to keep her strong. Extracting bile As if this maddening imprisonment isn’t enough for Rosie to face, she then has to suffer the agonising effects of bile extraction. When it’s time, a farm worker will force a large syringe through her abdomen – often passing through her liver – then into her gall bladder, as you can see in the image to the left. Her bile – the precious liquid that is the cause of all this abuse – is slowly drawn from her. The wounds caused by this procedure can sometimes be left untreated, and bile can seep back into the cavity, causing agonisingly painful infection for Rosie and other bears like her.
8
"OJNBM .BUUFST t Issue 01
I want to help animals like Rosie Post your completed form to: Freepost RLUC-CTKT-LLTR, World Animal Protection, 2a Halifax Road, Melksham, SN12 6YY Telephone 0845 0777 500 (9am-5pm, Monday – Friday) Visit worldanimalprotection.org.uk/rosie Here is my gift of:
How your gift could help
£17 £25 £52
could fund the inspection of a bear bile facility could pay for two ENV staff to show locals the cruelty of the bear bile industry and persuade them to help end it could pay for the monthly surveillance of all bear bile facilities in Vietnam to prevent further cruelty to bears.
£25 £52 other £ £17 Please debit my: Mastercard Visa CAF Charity Card Card no: Expires:
/
Signature: Date: OR I enclose a cheque / CAF cheque / postal order, made payable to World Animal Protection World Animal Protection sends acknowledgement letters for donations over £5. If you do not want an acknowledgement for your donation please tick here Your donation will help World Animal Protection to protect animals from cruelty and suffering, including those featured in this appeal.
No escape This violation continues, potentially month after month, year after year, for up to 20 years (our investigation has shown that bears trapped in captivity can live up to 20 years, compared to 30 years in the wild.) There is no escape from this vicious cycle.
Increase the value of your gift by 25% at no extra cost to you Yes, I am a UK taxpayer and would like World Animal Protection to treat all donations I have made in the last four years and all future donations (unless I notify you otherwise) as Gift Aid donations.
Mental trauma And farmed bears are not only physically traumatised – 20 years of solitary confinement takes its toll mentally. The severe psychological trauma for a farmed bear is unimaginable. Rosie’s was obvious from her persistent ‘rocking’. She displays signs of severe mental anguish – repeatedly banging her head against the metal bars of her cage causing sores that may never heal.
Your donations can be Gift Aid donations if you pay enough income tax and/or capital gains tax to cover the amount of tax (VAT and council tax do not count) that World Animal Protection (and any other charitable organisation you may support with Gift Aid donations) will reclaim in each tax year (currently 25p for every £1 given as a Gift Aid donation).
Please print your details clearly below Name:
Enough is enough But there is hope. We are getting closer to stopping the bear bile industry in Vietnam. With your support, World Animal Protection and ENV have been campaigning to end the country’s bear bile industry for the past 11 years. But there is much more still to be done. Government figures report that there are still at least 2,300 bears trapped in illegal bear farms in Vietnam. We need to work harder with the Vietnamese Government to ensure the legal loopholes are closed and laws are being strongly enforced. You can help stop this Together, we have so much more strength to fight this. We know that you are as passionate about animals as we are and want to do all in your power to stop this cruelty. You could help World Animal Protection stop the bear bile industry in Vietnam by giving a donation today. We desperately need you on board. Your gift could help us protect animals like Rosie from agonising pain and suffering. "OJNBM .BUUFST t Issue 01
Address:
Postcode: Supporter number: We’d love to keep you updated on how you are protecting animals. If you are happy for us to contact you in the ways below, please fill in your details. Telephone: Mobile: Email: World Animal Protection is the operating name of World Society for the Protection of Animals. Company Limited by Guarantee in England and Wales, Registration No. 4029540. Registered Charity 1081849. 14067WMA033
9
Protecting animals in disasters for 50 years From floods, to earthquakes to volcano eruptions – with your support World Animal Protection has been helping animals affected by disasters for the last 50 years. Our disaster team, who recently featured on the BBC documentary Vets in the Disaster Zone, protect animals wherever and whenever they are called. And central to providing this help has been you, our dedicated supporters. We’ve gathered together some stories that show how you’ve helped animals in disasters over the years.
1964
1976
Country: India Disaster: Chemical explosion Animals helped: 7,334 Tragedy struck when 38 tonnes of toxic gas leaked from a pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, killing 30,000 people. Thousands of dead cats, dogs, cows and birds lined the streets and 10,000 more suffered terrible side-effects, including blindness and organ failure. Our vets were on hand to give emergency help to 7,334 animals in need.
1984
Country: Montserrat Disaster: Volcanic eruption Animals helped: 540
Country: Suriname Disaster: Flood Animals helped: 10,000 870 square miles of land was flooded in Suriname, South America, leaving thousands of animals stranded and helpless. Together with local people, we scoured the flood waters in motorised canoes. Using ropes and basic tools, the team pulled 10,000 animals – including jaguars, monkeys and deer – from the rising waters. Once rescued, the animals were taken to a nature reserve.
1996
Country: Panama Disaster: Flood Animals helped: 3,641 239 square miles of jungle flooded during the construction of a huge hydro dam on the Bayano River. With thousands of animals trapped, the Panama Government asked World Animal Protection (then WSPA) for urgent help. After 15 months, 3,641 stranded animals had been rescued and given new homes. The government set up an island wildlife reserve, and we built an orphan nursery to help reunite stranded young animals with their parents.
A volcano spewed a blanket of ash 15cm deep across the island of Montserrat. Families were forced to evacuate their homes and many could not take their animals with them. Using trucks, boats and helicopters, World Animal Protection’s John Walsh and Gerardo Huertas lead a team of volunteers wearing gas masks to scour the island for abandoned animals. They rescued 300 abandoned pets and over 100 farm animals. The animals were fed, groomed and treated for burns before being transferred to adoption centres.
“For every one animal rescued from this, next year there’ll be two and the following year there’ll be four.” Thomas, a native Kuna Indian affected by the floods. 10
"OJNBM .BUUFST t Issue 01
Disasters Country: Afghanistan Disaster: War Animals helped: 3,000
Country: Argentina Disaster: Ash fall Animals helped: 172,501
After years of surrounding conflict, most of Kabul Zoo had been destroyed. The animals that survived, (including a blind lion, coyotes, primates, rabbits and birds) lived in cramped, filthy conditions, urgently in need of food and care. We treated the zoo’s animals – including Donatella, a black bear whose nose has been slashed by a Taliban soldier – and informed zookeepers how to improve the lives of the remaining animals.
Chile’s Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano erupted covering neighbouring Argentina in a sixmile-high ash cloud. Grassland that 150,000 grazing animals – mostly sheep and goats – relied on for survival was completely covered. The blanket of ash was stopping animals from eating, but we distributed 171 tonnes of emergency food, vaccinated 150,000 animals and gave vitamin shots to starving sheep.
Country: Myanmar Disaster: Cyclone Animals helped: 20,967 With little warning, Cyclone Nargis slammed into Myanmar’s delta region, killing around 140,000 people and thousands of working animals. World Animal Protection was one of few international organisations able to enter Myanmar, and our vets treated huge numbers of cattle and buffalo in emergency shelters, vaccinating against lethal diseases and arranging distribution of 120 tonnes of feed.
2002 2004 Country: India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand Disaster: Tsunami Animals helped: 117,548 The world held its breath as a catastrophic Tsunami devastated India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand killing 227,000 people. Many animals sensed the vibrations and ran for higher ground. But thousands were left injured, starving and stranded. Thanks to your help, we were able to respond immediately to provide urgent vet care, rescue stranded animals and set up mobile clinics treating up to 250 animals a day.
ProFauna
"OJNBM .BUUFST t Issue 01
2008 2010
Country: Haiti Disaster: Earthquake Animals helped: 70,000 When a calamitous earthquake took the lives of more than 200,000 people in Haiti’s capital, it also took the lives of countless thousands of animals. Because of your generosity, World Animal Protection arrived within 72 hours, and with the International Fund for Animal Welfare formed the Animal Relief Coalition in Haiti. Together, we gave vital treatment to 70,000 animals and vaccinated people and their pets against diseases.
2011 2013 Country: Philippines Disaster: Typhoon Animals helped: 17,400 When ‘super’ typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines it devastated entire communities and took the lives of thousands of humans and animals. World Animal Protection was on the ground within days, and gave muchneeded food, water and vet care to pets and farm animals in some of the worst hit areas. Our team stayed long after the initial disaster, to help people rebuild communities and better care for their surviving animals.
“The operation in Haiti is one of the largest, most successful animal disaster relief efforts in history.” Gerardo Huertas, World Animal Protection Disaster Management Director, the Americas 11
Farming
Gideon Mendel for World Animal Protection
Did you know? Milk from factory farmed dairy cows already makes up at least 10% of the milk we drink
Standing up for dairy cows As an animal lover, you’ll enjoy seeing cows grazing on grass in the summertime as much as us. The sight of them out on fields is an image we all associate with UK countryside – but is this all about to change? With your support, World Animal Protection has been fighting to keep cows on grass since 2010, because we know that cows belong in fields, not in factories. What’s wrong with factory farming? Cows housed in intensive dairies are kept inside all year round and many will never get to graze on grass. They are at greater risk of painful and weakening diseases such as laminitis (swelling inside the hoof) and mastitis (inflammation of the udder) and also have a much shorter life expectancy than cows that graze in fields. Not in my Cuppa When Nocton Dairies put in a proposal to build an 8,100 cow factory dairy farm in Lincolnshire, we knew we had to do something to protect cows that could be farmed there. With your help, World Animal Protection launched our Not in My Cuppa campaign to stop intensive dairies becoming the norm in the UK. We all celebrated when, in early 2011, Nocton Dairies withdrew their plans to build the intensive factory farm. Although our success with Nocton Dairies was a huge victory for dairy cows, sadly the story does not end there. Another proposal was put forward soon afterwards to build a 1,000-cow dairy farm in a small village in Wales. 12
Campaigning together We offered evidence showing the negative impacts the factory farm could have on cows, people and the local environment alongside local campaign group the Campaign Against Lower Leighton Farm expansion. We asked you to sign our petition urging the Welsh Assembly to review the planning process. Yet despite significant opposition, shockingly, the Welsh Government approved the plans. Last resort In June this year, we took the fight one step further and did the only thing left to do – file a legal challenge questioning how the Welsh Planning Minister Carl Sargeant came to the decision. It is with great regret that we have to tell Animal Matters readers that this last attempt was lost in court, and building of the factory farm will go ahead. Simon Pope, our Director of Campaigns & Communications said, “We thank our supporters and everyone who has taken action against the spread of intensive dairy farms in the UK and want to reassure you that we won’t give up on this issue.” Supporting free range farmers Our Not in my Cuppa campaign uncovered a huge demand from consumers to know where their milk comes from – the same consumers who have rejected battery farm eggs in favour of free range eggs. But as we’ve seen recently, we are facing some powerful advocates for intensive systems in the UK. This is why it is important to champion farmers that are working hard to show just how much better it is to have cows on grass. There is much still to do, but World Animal Protection will keep standing up for dairy cows. With your invaluable support, we will keep up the pressure against factory farming to protect the UK’s dairy cows and keep them out on fields, with their hooves on the grass and the sun on their backs. "OJNBM .BUUFST t Issue 01
Wild
Protecting our ocean wildlife World Animal Protection has been working on a new campaign. In 2014 we’ll be taking on one of the biggest problems facing our oceans today: ghost gear. Our oceans are an unsafe place to live. Every year millions of animals including whales, seals, turtles and birds are mutilated and killed by ‘ghost’ fishing gear – an urgent problem threatening their natural environment. What is ghost gear? Ghost fishing gear is nets, lines and traps that are abandoned, lost or discarded in our oceans. Found in every ocean and sea on the planet, it is one of the biggest killers of marine animals. Entanglement kills Millions of animals can suffer nightmare deaths from becoming entangled in discarded rope and netting, getting so twisted up that they are unable to free themselves. Some may drown within minutes, or endure long, slow deaths lasting months or even years, suffering from debilitating wounds, infection and starvation. A huge global problem It has been estimated that around 640,000 tonnes of fishing gear are left in our oceans every year – about the weight of 90,000 double decker buses. Each net is a floating death trap. Tangled animals can’t free themselves World Animal Protection estimates that at least 136,000 seals, sea lions and large whales die every year from getting tangled
in discarded fishing gear, as well as many more countless birds, turtles and fish. The plastics that nets and other fishing equipment are made from are very durable – so strong that entangled animals can’t bite through them to free themselves. How to help Together we can tackle this. By making seafood companies, governments and the public aware of the sheer scale of this problem, we can encourage action to be taken, so no more marine animals have to face danger from ghost nets. World Animal Protection’s Sea Change campaign launches this year – and with your help, we are determined to save one million animal lives by 2018. We will do this by: Rescuing entangled animals Reducing the amount of ghost gear abandoned in our seas Removing gear that is already there We will work all over the world to make sure that ghost gear does not keep threatening our ocean wildlife. World Animal Protection will update readers again soon, to let you know how you can join our campaign and fight to protect the animals that live in our oceans.
Heartbreakingly, when 870 ghost nets were recovered off Washington State in the US, they contained more than 32,000 animals.
Ghost fishing gear washed up on a beach in Hawaii.
A female grey seal tangled in a discarded fishing net in Devon.
Chris Pincetich / Marine Photobank
Alex Mustard / naturepl.com
"OJNBM .BUUFST t Issue 01
13
Bear sanctuaries around the world Together, we have been protecting bears from cruelty and captivity for over 20 years. In 1992 you helped us launch one of our most successful campaigns that has dramatically changed the way bears are treated around the world today. Libearty was born when World Animal Protection’s Wildlife Advisor Victor Watkins noticed that no one was tackling the extreme cruelty inflicted on bears. In this special feature, he tells us the inspirational story of how it all began...
14
“Through Libearty, we began to fight against the worst forms of cruelty to bears. This included bear baiting in Pakistan, the farming of bears for their bile in Asia and the exploitation of bears taken from the wild, held captive for entertainment or as pets. Dancing bears One of the cruellest forms of exploitation was dancing bears – bears that had been caught as cubs from the wild and trained to stand on their hind paws and move around as if dancing to music played by their owners. Laws against animal cruelty had eradicated most of this practice, yet the tradition of dancing bears persisted in some countries such as Greece, Turkey, India and Pakistan. Stopping the cruelty In Greece, bears were being dragged around the streets in Athens and Thessaloniki for tourists to take pictures. We had to do something to stop this appalling exploitation and so approached the Greek authorities with a strategy to eradicate dancing bears from the country – they were very keen to help. "OJNBM .BUUFST t Issue 01
Wild
This bear cub was used as a dancing bear in India. Along with partner organisation the Wildlife Trust of India, we were able to confiscate him and save him from a life of further exploitation.
Victor and the Turkish authorities save a young bear called Black Cloud from bear dancing in Turkey in 1993. He was taken for immediate vet treatment and then re-homed in a bear sanctuary.
Lily was saved from bear baiting and now lives peacefully at the Balkasar sanctuary in Pakistan. Here, she steps out into the main enclosure for the first time.
Image: WTI
The bear sanctuaries But even if we were able to rescue dancing bears, there was nowhere for them to go. They wouldn’t be able to survive in the wild. Zoos couldn’t take them, plus many zoos would have been poor homes for the bears. So World Animal Protection came up with the solution – a bear sanctuary. This was a unique idea: areas of forest surrounded by tall fences for the rescued bears to live safely in. The enclosures would have large fresh water pools, natural vegetation and plenty of trees so the bears would be able to live a relaxed life free from suffering. A safe new home With your help, and alongside a local organisation called Arcturos, we built the first ever bear sanctuary in northern Greece. We quickly confiscated the country’s dancing bears and moved them to their new forest home where they received vet care, a good diet and a safe environment for the rest of their lives. Within a couple of years, there were no more dancing bears in Greece. Going global World Animal Protection also helped end the dancing bear trade in Turkey, and rehomed 50 of these bears in a forested sanctuary near the Marmara Sea. In Hungary, we were asked to help a group of 20 captive bears that were trapped in small cages, once used in the film industry. These bears now live peacefully in a sanctuary near the town of Veresegyhaz. Governments and animal organisations all over the world started to realise how useful the bear sanctuaries could be. We developed sanctuaries in Thailand to help fight against the illegal trade in Asiatic and sun bears, and worked with the Wildlife SOS group to create the first bear sanctuary in India. Thanks to your support, there are now no more dancing bears in India. Bear baiting Your support also helps us fight against the horrifically cruel sport bear baiting in Pakistan, where bears are tethered to a post and forced to fight trained dogs for entertainment. "OJNBM .BUUFST t Issue 01
Together with partner organisation the Bioresource Research Centre, two sanctuaries were built for the bears rescued from this brutal tradition – now at an all-time low. There are still a small number of baiting bears in Pakistan but we are confident we can bring an end to this in the next couple of years. Rescuing caged bears The most recent bear sanctuary that you helped us to fund is the aptly named ‘Libearty Sanctuary’ in Romania. Over the past seven years, World Animal Protection and partner Millions of Friends Association have created the biggest bear sanctuary in Europe. It is currently home to 78 bears rescued from illegal captivity, mostly from small, cramped cages outside restaurants and petrol stations. Many locals now visit the sanctuary to hear the stories of the rescued bears, while schools visit to learn about animal protection. All thanks to you Our bear sanctuaries have achieved so much for the protection of bears around the world, and other animal groups now use them too. They are a proud legacy of World Animal Protection – but would never have become reality without the constant dedication of you, our supporters. We hope that you feel extremely proud of all that we have achieved together so far, and all that we will continue to do.”
Bear Sanctuary book You can read more about the incredible history of the bear sanctuaries in Victor’s book, Bear Sanctuary. Visit www.bearsanctuary.com to order your copy today.
15
Help animals this Christmas Your World Animal Protection 2014 Christmas Catalogue is out now.
How to order:
It is brimming with beautiful animal themed gifts and cards, perfect for your loved ones.
Online worldanimalprotectionshop.org.uk (where you can find more cards, wrapping paper and gifts)
You could do all your Christmas shopping without leaving home – and the best thing is, everything you order will help raise funds towards protecting animals from cruelty and suffering.
Post Please send your order form and payment to: World Animal Protection Christmas Catalogue, Carriage House, Forde Close, Newton Abbot, TQ12 4EY
Email worldanimalprotection@cbfulfilment.co.uk Call Order: 0844 324 8556 Enquiries: 0844 324 8554 (8am-10pm, Mon-Fri, 9am-10pm Sat-Sun)