Global News - December 2007

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Agra Bear Sanctuary celebrates birthday

Mon 24 December 2007 13:30 UK — Asia,Bears

One of the world's most successful bear sanctuaries is celebrating its birthday today (December 24th).

The Agra Bear Sanctuary in India first opened its doors on Christmas Eve 2002 and has since rescued 421 bears. With help from International Animal Rescue and local partner Wildlife SOS, over half of these creatures are still housed in the Agra sanctuary.

Both charities aim to free all dancing bears in India by 2010.

"We have come a long way since Christmas Eve 2002," commented Alan Knight, chief executive of International Animal Rescue. "From humble beginnings five years ago the Agra sanctuary has grown into a centre of excellence for the rescue and rehabilitation of dancing bears.

"We started with six frightened and traumatised bears that had been kept captive on the end of a rope ever since they were taken from the wild as cubs.

"Since those early days we have expanded the sanctuary and now we have more than 100 acres where the bears can roam freely and leave behind the pain and trauma of their lives on the streets."

The sanctuary now boasts a state-of-the-art veterinary surgery where pioneering dental work can be carried out on injured bears. The Agra Bear Sanctuary is now recognised as a world-leading centre for bear care and rehabilitation.

"How can we ever compensate these bears for the pain they have suffered at the hands of the human race? On December 24th this year we will certainly celebrate the success of the Agra sanctuary and of the campaign in general, but we won't forget the bears still on the streets this Christmas," Mr Knight concluded.

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