Bear abused in illegal fighting ring rescued in Pakistan

A black bear called Rocky has been rescued from an illegal fighting ring in east Pakistan, a welfare organisation said on Sunday.

The seven-year-old bear had been kept illegally in Punjab province and abused in 35 fights.

Local authorities intervened to move him to a safer facility. But the facility could not give him the care he needed and officials relocated Rocky to Islamabad.

A team from Four Paws travelled to Pakistan to help Rocky. Veterinarians operated on him on Sunday.

“We were able to release and cut the chain and nose ring,” Dr Amir Khalil said. “His condition is physically good, but he suffered. He has a fracture in the jaw and has no teeth. We have several wounds on the ear because of the fights and biting by dogs.”

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Sick brown bears saved from notorious Pakistan zoo weeks after elephant rescue

Sick brown bears saved from notorious Pakistan zoo weeks after elephant rescue

Khalil said bear fighting was cruel and illegal in Pakistan but it was still practised in some parts of the country.