The new law is a major step forward in protecting bears in Pakistan, making it illegal to keep and use bears for baiting, dancing, begging, or in circuses.
This follows years of lobbying with local partners for a nationwide ban on the owning of wild bears – and the work we continue to do to guide animal protection legislation across the country.
Emily Reeves, our Director of Programs in Asia Pacific, says:
“This new law sends out a clear message that the days of cruelly exploiting bears, for inhumane practices such as bear baiting, are numbered.
“We thoroughly commend the Sindh Provincial Government for taking a positive step forward in protecting bears, after an alarming increase in bear baiting events in the province in recent times.
“We now hope to see other provinces follow suit and wildlife protection laws progress nationwide.
“The use of bears for entertainment is not only cruel, but has a major impact on wild bear numbers.
“The ongoing commitment by authorities in Pakistan will help to bring us closer to keeping bears in the wild, where they belong.”
The new law comes on the back of increased enforcement action by local wildlife departments, and the police, at bear baiting events in Pakistan in the last 12 months - which have resulted in bears being confiscated, and bear owners and event organizers arrested.
We continue to work with our local partner, Bioresource Research Centre (BRC), to move wildlife officials and communities in bear baiting hotspots, gather and share intelligence, strengthen legislation and enforcement, and increase public awareness – to end bear baiting in Pakistan for good.
It doesn’t stop there. Animals are suffering for entertainment all around the world. We’re campaigning to put an end to cruel animal attractions everywhere – because wild animals belong in the wild.
Learn more about our Before They Book campaign and find out how you can help.
