Spotlight on bear rescues

Key to our work to save bears abused for entertainment has been our ability to help rescue bears and house them in sanctuaries where they can be given the best possible care for the rest of their lives.

Freedom "means the universe" to Kainat

Kainat, meaning “the universe”, is a beautiful seven-year-old Himalayan brown bear who was surrendered to the Bioresource Research Centre (BRC) in November 2017 from Punjab Province. She’s been used for baiting and dancing for about five years. The scars on her body, especially her muzzle, speak volumes about the suffering she endured.

Kainat was malnourished and weak. She was held with two ropes, and whenever she tried to lie down to take a nap, relax, or even shake her head, she groaned in agony. As she was kept without shelter, out in the open, whatever the weather, she’d dug herself a trench to lay in. It nearly became her grave.

Her owner Javed had used her for baiting. It was difficult for him to surrender Kainat as she had a reputation among the region’s landlords and villagers for being a smart fighter.

BRC have been talking to Javed for the past three years, keen to see the last brown bear of Punjab Province surrendered. This valued bear made Javed an important target of the alternative livelihood programme – an initiative that allows former bear owners to continue to provide for their families.

Kainat will spend time in quarantine until she’s healthy enough to be released in the main sanctuary.

Thank you for helping give Kainat the gift of freedom.

Thank you for helping give Kainat the gift of freedom.