Polar Bear News

Today is my birthday and I just got the best birthday present EVER:

BREAKING NEWS-December 18, 2010: One of the last remaining Dancing Bear was surrendered to Wildlife S.O.S. bringing an end to the centuries-old tradition that inflicted terrible cruelty on thousands of highly endangered sloth bears.

Photo: Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder of Wildlife S.O.S. and a bear cub

Although the practice of dancing bears was made illegal in India when the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 came into effect, it wasn’t until the end of 2002, when the Wildlife SOS Agra Bear Rescue Facility opened its doors, that there was anywhere to house the rescued bears. (The tortured bears can not be returned to the wild because they can not survived on their own.)

The work now will focus on the rehabilitation of the 600+ bears and maintaining the rescue facilities that will house these bears for life. Wildlife S.O.S. will also be able to focus more energy and funds on protecting the sloth bears in the wild.

A very happy and momentous day in wildlife conservation and animal welfare.

EDITOR’S NOTE from the press release:
With informants across the country, and a recently concluded advertising campaign designed to encourage bear dancers to turn in their bears, Wildlife SOS is confident that there are only about 30 or so remaining dancing bears in India. However, given India’s vast size and rather porous borders, Wildlife SOS recognizes the possibility that there may be a few more dancing bears hidden away in remote areas, or in neighboring countries, and remains firmly committed to rescuing any bears that may be discovered in the future.The work is not over, however, as the the over 600 rescued bears must live in the bear sanctuaries.

For the full story, click Final Curtain

Bear hugs, Frankie

Sloth Bears Everything about Sloth bears including facts, photos and videos of Sloth bears.

Saving the Dancing Bears of India Everything about the Dancing Bears of India including history, facts, photos and videos.

BEARS: The 8 Wonders of the World A site full of facts, stats, photos, videos, and other info on the 8 species of bear in the world!

If you want to know what you can do to protect polar bears and other endangered species, contact The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) at National Wildlife Federation (NWF)