Abused Bear Rescued in Pakistan, Moved for Treatment

In the eastern region of Pakistan, a 7-year-old black bear named Rocky has been rescued from distressing circumstances and transferred to Islamabad for necessary medical care, as reported by a welfare organization on Sunday.
Rocky had been subjected to illegal captivity and abuse in Punjab province, being forced into 35 brutal fights. Local authorities took action to relocate him to a more secure environment.
However, this original facility was unable to provide the comprehensive care Rocky required, leading to his transfer to the capital city, Islamabad.
To facilitate this effort, a team from Four Paws, an international animal welfare organization, journeyed to Pakistan to assist with Rocky’s rehabilitation. On Sunday, veterinarians performed surgery on the bear.
“We managed to release and remove the chain and nose ring,” explained Dr. Amir Khalil from Four Paws. “Although his overall physical condition is stable, he has endured significant suffering. He has a jaw fracture and is missing all teeth. There are also multiple wounds on his ears caused by dog bites during fights.”
Dr. Khalil remarked on the inhumane nature of bear fighting, emphasizing that while it is illegal in Pakistan, it continues to persist in certain areas.
Pakistan faces challenges concerning animal welfare. In a notable incident last December, an elephant in a safari park died shortly after being reunited with her sibling, marking another unfortunate event among elephants in captivity within the country.
In a related case from 2020, two mistreated Himalayan brown bears, once used for dancing, were relocated from a controversial zoo in Islamabad to a sanctuary in Jordan.