ISLAMABAD: An injured bear used in illegal baiting fights has been rescued from Punjab’s Sargodha district following a joint operation by the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), Punjab Wildlife Department, and global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS.
In a statement, FOUR PAWS revealed that its rapid response team travelled to Pakistan on March 1 to assist in the bear’s urgent rescue and relocation after authorities requested their support.
Severe Abuse and Rescue Operation
The seven-year-old male bear, named Rocky by the rescue team, was confiscated from illegal private captivity where he had been subjected to severe abuse as a baiting bear — a cruel practice in which bears are forced to fight trained dogs for entertainment.
On-site reports indicated that Rocky had been used in 35 fights, leaving him with multiple bleeding wounds on his face and back. The FOUR PAWS team provided immediate veterinary treatment before transporting him to the IWMB Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Islamabad.
Court-Ordered Relocation
Rocky’s rescue followed a Magistrate’s Court decision and was supported by the Assistant Director Wildlife for Punjab Region, as the facility where he was originally kept could not provide the necessary care. The bear was confiscated by authorities on February 27 before being relocated with the help of FOUR PAWS.
Banning Bear Baiting in Pakistan
Videos examined by FOUR PAWS showed Rocky being aggressively attacked by dogs in a recent fight, highlighting the inhumane nature of bear baiting.
FOUR PAWS praised the collaboration with Pakistani authorities, emphasizing that the rescue represents a crucial step toward combating illegal wildlife practices and ensuring better protection for animals in the country.
