The bear truth

I am not sure what message rally organisers wanted to convey by bringing a chained, endangered Himalayan black bear

Pakistan Day was commemorated in full swing after seven years on March 23. There was a prestigious parade of the armed forces in Islamabad while Lahore celebrated it in true Lahori spirit. I was following the advertisements of the celebrations in Lahore closely, some of which stated the “appearance of famous Suzi, the elephant of Lahore Zoo, show of tigers, lions and bears”. It was shocking; especially because there is a case in the Lahore High Court precisely against this: the display of wildlife species in public rallies because it causes stress in animals and on the top of it all conveys a wrong message to the masses. It portrays animals as objects and the Government of Pakistan’s international commitments bind Pakistan to improve its national legislations to enhance protection of threatened species.

The Lahore High Court formed a Wildlife Commission last year, which has been reviewing current practices in private wildlife facilities, licencing procedures and legal framework to propose improvements. Unfortunately, the district government was one of the organisers of the March 23 event in Lahore. The district coordinating officer made a request personally to the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department to let Suzi participate in the rally.  The zoo declined because of many reasons, for an African elephant can be unpredictable in public. Moreover, zoo animals are not to be taken out. The media partner contacted private breeding farms to feature big cats, which was also refused, especially because private facilities came under scrutiny when they were taking big cats out for PML-N’s electoral campaigns — abominable ventures which led to the loss of certain animals. The organisers came up with an alternative plan and eventually a Himalayan black bear and a rock python showed up at the rally on the top of a jeep. I am still not sure what message the organisers wanted to convey through bringing in a chained, endangered Himalayan black bear with its claws and teeth removed!

The display of a Himalayan black bear and rock python in such a manner is serious because these species are indigenous and protected in Schedule III under the Punjab Wildlife Act, 2007, and it is illegal to possess them. Since the bear is not even found in Punjab, permission is needed to bring it into the province and above all else, an export permit is needed from the province of origin before relocating the animal. These animals should have been confiscated immediately at the rally. In this connection, the Chair of the Wildlife Commission, Brig Mukhtar Ahmad, wrote to the DCO Lahore and Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department to confiscate these animals and take legal action. On April 16, the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department confiscated this Himalayan black bear, a female, from the Shalimar in Lahore and the district court ordered it to be housed at Jallo Park. A gang of qalanders also attacked the wildlife inspectors when they were taking the bear away. There should also be action against those who brought this bear to the rally. The media reported that the illegal owner of the rock python was the world famous Babar Nagi! The wildlife department is still looking for him.

A few days ago, I saw two black bears on leash taken around in Chaklala Scheme 3 and I reported the location to the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department for action. People argue about what would happen to the bear owner who is dependent on these animals for their livelihood. This is a serious issue and, obviously, alternatives must be explored. However, the harvesting of endangered species from the wild can never be allowed just because of associated livelihoods. Livelihoods are also associated with drug dealings, so should we also be thinking of the ‘livelihoods’ of drug traffickers before taking action? Even more horrifying is the ‘sport’ of bear baiting, where a bear is used as bait and dogs fight with it, in the wake of cheering and betting spectators. But bear baiting are extremely rare because of law enforcement. Wild boar, an unprotected species, is replacing bears in such fights which is again very cruel and against the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1890. However, a small entity, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals SPCA, which only exists in Punjab under the livestock department, is very restricted its function because of lack of resources. Wildlife conservation and animal cruelty is neglected in Pakistan and it is perpetually weighed against humanitarian issues. It reminds one of the quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st,  2015.

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