Pakistan: Dramatic rescue of abused bear Rocky from cruel baiting practices

Dubai: In a dramatic rescue operation, Four Paws, a leading global animal welfare organisation, has successfully rescued a seven-year-old male bear named Rocky from the illegal and brutal practice of bear baiting in Pakistan’s Punjab province.

The bear, who had suffered severe abuse in a series of dog fights, was rescued on Feb. 27, with the collaboration of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) and the Punjab Wildlife Department.

The rescue operation marks a crucial step in the fight to end the cruel exploitation of bears for human entertainment in Pakistan.

The Rescue

Rocky had endured unimaginable suffering, being forced to fight trained dogs in a violent and illegal tradition known as “bear baiting.” This horrific practice, which has been outlawed in Pakistan, involves bears being trained to fight dogs for the amusement of spectators.

Rocky had been through 35 gruelling fights, leaving him with severe injuries to his face and body. He was confiscated by local authorities from a private facility in Sargodha district of Punjab on February 27, after being found in a condition that was both physically and mentally shattered.

Emergency response

On March 1, Four Paws’ emergency response team travelled to Pakistan to assist the IWMB with the bear’s urgent rescue and relocation. Rocky’s wounds were immediately treated by the Four Paws veterinary team, who also removed a painful nose ring and chain that had caused deep damage to his skin.

Cruelty in the name of entertainment

Rocky’s suffering was not just physical. His teeth had been forcibly removed to make him more vulnerable during the baiting fights, a grim reality for many bears used in this cruel practice.

Dr Amir Khalil, a Four Paws veterinarian leading the rescue mission, described the bear as being in an advanced state of shock, with bleeding wounds across his body. He had been subjected to immense trauma, both from physical injuries and psychological torment.

“Rocky’s case highlights the unimaginable cruelty these animals endure in the name of entertainment. He is a symbol of the suffering of many other bears trapped in this horrific cycle. We are committed to supporting the Pakistani authorities in ending this abuse,” said Dr. Khalil.

“As we take one step closer to ending this barbaric practice, we also continue to raise awareness of the broader issue of bear exploitation. Rocky’s recovery is a symbol of the collective effort to bring an end to bear baiting and bear dancing in Pakistan,” said Josef Pfabigan, CEO and President of Four Paws.

Ending bear abuse

This rescue is part of an ongoing effort by Four Paws to combat the illegal exploitation of bears in Pakistan. Since 2024, the organisation has been working with local authorities to end the inhumane practices of bear baiting and bear dancing, which still plague parts of the country.

Four Paws has previously supported the rehabilitation of several bears, including the relocation of two other bears, Boogie and Laila, who had been kept in similar conditions.

Bear baiting

Despite being banned, the cruel practice of bear baiting persists, often involving bears that are captured as cubs and forced to endure years of abuse. In addition to the traumatic physical injuries they suffer — such as broken teeth, pierced snouts, and claw removal — these bears are left psychologically scarred, with little hope of recovery.

Pakistan’s efforts to protect bears

The rescue of Rocky underscores Pakistan’s increasing commitment to eradicating these cruel practices. Since 2024, the government has been taking strong action against illegal bear keeping. However, the number of bears still held in captivity for exploitation remains high, with estimates ranging from dozens to over a hundred. Many of these bears are unable to survive if released back into the wild, due to the permanent damage they have sustained, including missing claws and teeth.

Four Paws continues to work with local governments and wildlife authorities in Pakistan to provide sustainable, long-term solutions for rescued bears and to improve national legislation to protect them from future exploitation.

Rocky is now safe in the IWMB Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Islamabad, where he will receive ongoing care and rehabilitation.