Wildlife

Bear Baiting and Blood Sports Welfare

Bear baiting and other blood sports involving bears continue in parts of South Asia and Central Asia, causing extreme and prolonged suffering to captive animals.

Key Facts

Pakistan is the last country where bear baiting is practiced openly, though it is officially illegal
Bears used in baiting have their claws and canine teeth removed without anesthesia
Bears may be baited multiple times per week, suffering repeated injuries and trauma
Wild bears are captured as cubs for this purpose, often leaving mothers to be killed

Welfare Considerations

Bear baiting causes acute physical suffering from dog attacks and chronic psychological trauma from repeated exposure to aggression, confinement, and pain. Bears show clear indicators of distress including stereotypies, self-directed biting, and hyper-vigilance. Enforcement of existing prohibitions has been limited by cultural acceptance and lack of resources.

What You Can Do

Support organizations like World Animal Protection working on bear baiting enforcement
Advocate for international pressure on governments to enforce anti-baiting laws
Never attend or fund blood sports involving bears or other animals
Support community livelihood programs that provide alternatives to owners
Share information to raise awareness about bear baiting in countries where it occurs