‘Dancing’ Bear Project
Wildlife SOS Co-founders Geeta Seshamani & Kartick Satyanarayan investigated the illegal practice of ‘dancing’ sloth bears from 1995 to 1997. A report was submitted to the Government of India and circulated worldwide which helped establish the Sloth Bear Rescue and Rehabilitation centres in India and played a pivotal role in ending the barbaric practice of ‘dancing’ bears.
To gain a deeper understanding of the community, Kartick and Geeta spent time living amongst them and visited about 68 Kalandar villages, to work together and think of a sustainable solution to put an end to such a brutal practice. An inclusive analysis helped them understand the desperation and the economic conditions of the community responsible for the dependence on the ‘dancing’ bears. Hence, to maintain the permanence of the eradication, a holistic approach which targeted and aided the community at all tiers was needed.
Consequently, Wildlife SOS through its ‘Dancing Bear Project’ in association with the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Govt. of India and the state forests departments, extended aid to the community by availing to them a new lease on life in the form of seed funds and assistance to initiate a new business. Additionally, the women folk of the community were also given a chance to be independent, by imparting skill training and a market to sell their products. Such an extensive approach did not stop at the employment level. Through its Education Support Drives, Wildlife SOS also made sure that the coming generations of the Kalandar community does not have to resort to animal abuse in order to sustain a living. The children of the Kalandar community were enrolled in school and were supplied with school supplies regularly to maintain their sustainability in a formal education system.
Objective: To eradicate every last instance of the ‘dancing’ bear practice in the country and provide lifelong care and sanctuary to all the bears rescued from this barbaric practice.
Location/Region: Pan-India
Milestones:
- With cooperation from government officials, and the help of our partner organisations International Animal Rescue, One Voice, Free The Bears, and others, Wildlife SOS has been able to rescue and rehabilitate as many as 628 ‘dancing’ bears.
- The 628 bears taken off the streets across India were given a home in four large natural facilities in the country. As an extension of the project, Wildlife SOS also provided alternative livelihood to the impoverished Kalandar community that was solely dependent on the bears for survival. Wildlife SOS has helped provide education to over 17,000 Kalandar children. Over 5,000 Kalandar families are no longer dependent on illegal wildlife crime to sustain themselves and instead have humane and alternative livelihoods to support their families.
Timeline:
- 1996 – Geeta and Kartick begin their time with the Kalandar community to understand their needs and map alternate paths for the animals and the community’s future.
- 2002 – Establishing Agra Bear Rescue Facility , the world’s largest sloth bear rescue facility for the purpose of providing long term care to the bears rescued from cruelty.
- 2002 – Rani, The first ‘dancing’ bear rescued by Wildlife SOS, arrives at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility.
- 2005 – Establishment of the Bannerughatta Bear Rescue Centre in Karnataka.
- 2009 – Raju (Adit), the last ‘dancing’ bear, was surrendered by his Kalandar masters.
- 2008 – Van Vihar Bear Rescue Facility established in central India, in Madhya Pradesh.
- 2014 – West Bengal Bear Rescue Centre established in eastern India, in West Bengal.
White papers, publications, or research: 3 compendiums of research published by Wildlife SOS.
Project Needs: Tightening the noose around anti-poaching activities in India.
Other Collaborating Groups: International Animal Rescue, One Voice Association – France and Humane Society International – Australia.
Other Projects
Restoring Habitats for an Equitable Future
Wildlife SOS has initiated the 'Rewild for Wildlife' project to plant native trees.
Open Wells Conservation Project
Covering up open wells of Maharashtra to prevent animals (especially leopards) from falling in.
'Dancing' Bear Project
Eradication of the barbaric 400-year-old 'dancing' bear practice in India and provide lifelong care to the bears we rescue.
Elephant Conservation & Care
Rescuing and rehabilitating captive elephants from abusive conditions and providing lifelong care in their healing journey.
Leopard Conservation
Working towards mitigation of human-leopard conflict, and rescuing orphaned and injured leopards for lifetime care.
Tribal Rehabilitation Programme
Enable the indigenous communities to have alternative sustainable livelihoods after giving up their bears.
Human-Bear Conflict Mitigation
Protect and provide medical aid to bears in India vulnerable to conflict, poaching and other threats.
Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation
Provide hotlines for the rescue, assistance and dedicated medical care to injured or displaced wildlife.
Anti-Poaching
The 'Forest Watch' programme assists the forest department and law enforcement to crack down on wildlife traffickers, poachers and smugglers.
Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation
Mitigate conflict with wild elephant herds and provide education in the Chhattisgarh region of India.
Habitat Conservation
This conservation project aims to protect precious sloth bear habitat near the Ramdurga Valley in Koppal, Karnataka, India.
Research & Conservation
Wildlife SOS recognises that human caring and understanding is crucial to saving wild animals and protecting the habitats.
