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Headline: Dancing Bear Sanctuaries In India Struggle To Survive COVID-19 Crisis

Caption: Two sanctuaries for rescued dancing bears in India have been hit hard by a second wave of the deadly COVID-19 virus. Several members of the animal care teams at the centres in Agra and Bannerghatta are seriously ill with the disease and in isolation. In addition, widespread disruption to logistics systems is making it increasingly difficult to procure food and medical supplies for the bears and the staff who care for them. The sanctuaries are funded by UK charity International Animal Rescue (IAR)). A message from Kartick Satyanarayan, head of IAR’s Indian partner Wildlife SOS which manages the day to day running of the sanctuaries, described just how desperate the situation is: “The dark Covid cloud is taking a severe toll with people dying all around us. There are no beds available in hospitals for Covid patients and no space left to bury the dead. I am extremely worried by the current situation. At Wildlife SOS we’re in desperate need of help. “At the bear rescue centres in Agra and Bangalore, we’re facing a lot of problems on the ground. Our dedicated and committed staff are doing their best to work courageously, but several members have tested positive for Covid. We've had to quarantine these staff for their own safety and also to prevent exposure to other staff and the animals. We desperately need three or four oxygen concentrators and about 10 oxygen cylinders as critical care need for our staff. Doctors have advised us that we will be facing a medical disaster if we can’t get hold of this equipment. “We already have a strict curfew and lockdown imposed in Delhi. We are having to use animal ambulances to move critical medicines and food supplies for the animals at the bear rescue centres. We urgently need to stock up on food and medicines to last us at least for the next 3 or 4 months so we can survive the imminent lockdowns that are looming over us in Agra and Bannerghatta.” IAR is appealing for help from its supporters and from the public to raise £80,000 to buy the oxygen concentrators and enough food and medical supplies to last at least four months. Alan Knight OBE, IAR Chief Executive, said: “We rescued the bears before from pain and hunger - now they need our help again to keep them safe. “Ever since they were taken from the wild, the bears have been forced to rely on people for everything. When they were dancing on the streets, they were at the mercy of their cruel handlers. And since they’ve been rescued, they’ve depended on us for all their food and care. And, thanks to our supporters, we’ve never had to let them down. IAR has already raised sufficient funds to buy seven oxygen concentrators which are in use supporting sick staff at the sanctuary. Now the fundraising focus has changed to the need to stock up on food and medicines for bears and staff. It’s feared that Agra and Bangalore will be put in lockdown before too much longer. “With lockdown looming, we need to ensure the bears and the bear carers are well provided for during the months ahead,” Knight added. “I know everyone at the sanctuaries is working hard to maintain their normal high level of care for the bears. At IAR we are intent on supporting their efforts and making sure the bear carers are well cared for too!”

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